Aurora man charged, second suspect held in connection with carjacking

An Aurora man faces multiple felony charges stemming from a carjacking Saturday afternoon, police said Monday.

Thomas Kovach, 24, is charged with vehicular hijacking, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated battery on a public way and mob action, authorities said.

According to the Aurora Police Department, a man told officers he was stopped in his car at about 4 p.m. near South Farnsworth Avenue and Summerlin Drive when another vehicle struck his from behind.

When the man got out of his car, one man punched and kicked him in the face, while a second man pushed him, police said. The men then fled in his vehicle and the vehicle they arrived in.

The victim was treated at a hospital and released, police said.

Personnel from the department’s Critical Incident Intelligence Center reviewed license plate reader data and city camera footage, and identified the stolen vehicle traveling with a second vehicle. Officers then located both vehicles in the 500 block of Grand Avenue, where the second vehicle is registered, according to police.

Kovac was arrested at a residence there just after 8:50 p.m., according to police. A second man was arrested at about 11:39 p.m., after several hours of refusing leave the home, police said.

Kovac remains in custody at the Kendall County Public Safety Center pending a detention hearing.

The second man was held on an outstanding criminal warrant but as of Monday had not been charged in connection with the carjacking, authorities said. The circumstances surrounding his possible involvement remain under investigation.

rwest@dailyherald.com