Police Arrest Driver Who Escaped Cops in Stolen Car Last Week

PALATINE, IL — A Chicago parolee led police on a car chase last week after he fled a traffic stop when officers discovered the car he was in was stolen, the Daily Herald reports.

Tomas Arzuaga, 21, was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing and eluding. If convicted, Arzuaga could face as much as seven years in prison or simply be given probation, the report stated. He was being held on $60,000 bail as of Thursday, Aug. 25, and his next court date is Sept. 15. The report did not indicate why Arzuaga was on parole.

Arzuaga was pulled over by Palatine police at around 1:30 a.m. Aug. 19, on Inverrary Lane after an officer noticed a broken license plate light on the car Azuaga was driving, the report stated. During the stop, a plate check revealed the car had been reported stolen, and the officer recognized Arzuaga from a previous encouter, the report added.

The officer asked Arzuaga to turn off the car's engine. Instead, Arzuaga drove off and ran three through stop signs in his escape as he headed toward Route 53, according to the report. Once on Route 53, the driver headed southbound at speeds of more than 95 mph, and the chase was suspended, the report added.

Arzuaga was taken into custody by Chicago police at his home Wednesday, Aug. 24, the report stated.

More via the Daily Herald

PHOTO: Tomas Aruzaga (Image via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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