Men Crash Into Car, Punch Driver, Then Drive Away In Stolen Vehicle: Aurora Police Announce Charges

AURORA, IL — A 24-year-old Aurora man was taken into custody Saturday after Aurora police said he and another crashed into a car, battered the driver, then fled in the victim's vehicle.

The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Saturday near South Farnsworth Avenue and Summerlin Drive. The preliminary investigation indicated the victim got out of his car after it was rear-ended. When he exited, one man punched and kicked him in the face, while a second man pushed him. The suspects then fled in his vehicle and the one they arrived in, police said in a Monday afternoon news release.

The victim sought treatment at a local hospital and was later released.

While officers interviewed the victim and witnesses, Critical Incident Intelligence Center staff reviewed license plate reader data and city camera footage to identify the two cars involved. The review turned up a suspect's registration, which was associated with a residence in the 500 block of Grand Avenue, officials said.

Police went to the Grand Avenue residence and established a perimeter before Thomas Kovach, 24, voluntarily came outside, according to police. He was taken into custody at 8:52 p.m.

The Aurora Police Department's Special Response Team attempted for several hours to persuade the second man to come out of the residence, but he refused, police said.

Detectives obtained a search warrant, entered the home and took the man into custody without incident at about 11:39 p.m., about seven hours after officers first arrived at the property.

The Kendall County State's Attorney's Office approved four felonies of vehicular hijacking, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated battery on a public way and mob action against Kovach. He remains in custody at the Kendall County jail as of Monday afternoon.

The second man involved was held on an outstanding criminal warrant, no charges have been issued in connection with the hijacking, police said.

"This technology is an important tool in investigating violent crime," Chief Matt Thomas said in a statement. "In this case, license plate readers helped our CIIC personnel identify the stolen vehicle and a second vehicle traveling with it, providing a lead to their location. That information, combined with patrol officers' work with the victim and witnesses and detectives' follow-up investigation, helped recover the vehicle and bring charges. We will continue bringing technology and teamwork together to hold violent offenders accountable and deliver the public safety Aurora deserves."

As the investigation remains ongoing, police are asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 630-256-5500.