Car theft suspect arrested in Geneva after manhunt

An early morning traffic stop turned into a roughly six-hour manhunt Tuesday morning as police searched a Geneva neighborhood for a suspect in a motor vehicle theft.

Geneva police units tried to stop a speeding vehicle about 5:30 a.m. on the 800 block of Peck Road, but the driver left the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse and took off on foot, according to police.

Authorities later learned the vehicle had been stolen from a residence in Union.

Geneva police were assisted by the Kane County sheriff’s office, which brought police dogs; Homeland Security, which provided a search helicopter; and Batavia police in their search.

Authorities located Joshua J. Meador, 24, of Union, in the Mill Creek subdivision at about 11:30 a.m., said Geneva Police Cmdr. Julie Nash.

Meador was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a converted vehicle, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, possession of a hypodermic needle, driving without a valid license and speeding, according to police.

Meador is being held at the Geneva Police Department and will appear in court Wednesday morning.