A Naperville man was charged with being in possession of a stolen car Monday after Naperville police stopped him in the vehicle in the same area from where it had been reported stolen the previous day, officials said.
Ethan M. Christiansen, 19, of the 2300 block of Keim Road, also was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, aggravated battery and resisting arrest after he fled police and fought with an officer taking him into custody — all felony charges.
Police recovered the cocaine in his possession and the meth in an area where he allegedly dropped it when attempting to flee officers after abandoning the car, a Naperville Police Department news release said.
The incident begain Sunday morning when police were notified that several cars in the 900 block of North Brainard Street had been burglarized and a 2007 Honda Civic was stolen, the release said. The stolen car was detected about 2:30 p.m. Monday via license plate reader technology and was followed to Naperville by an Illinois State Police trooper.
Naperville police stopped the driver, later identified as Christensen, in the 800 block of North Brainard Street in the city’s historic district, the release said. He fled the vehicle and allegedly fought with the officer trying to take him into custody, according to the report.
The motor vehicle burglaries remain under investigation, police said.
“This arrest highlights the effectiveness of strong partnerships and technology in keeping our community safe,” Police Chief Jason Arres said in the release. “I commend the Illinois State Police and our officers for their quick coordination and professionalism, particularly during a situation that escalated and resulted in an officer being battered.”
