Man charged with fleeing Palatine police in stolen car
A man on parole for possession of a stolen vehicle and escape was ordered held on $60,000 bail Wednesday after, authorities allege, he fled Palatine police officers after a traffic stop.
A Palatine police officer stopped Tomas Arzuaga, 21, of Chicago along Inverrary Lane about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 19 after noticing a malfunctioning license plate light, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney David Mennie.
A check of the license plate number revealed the car had been stolen, Mennie said. The officer curbed the vehicle and approached Arzuaga, whom he recognized from prior contact, Mennie said. Authorities say that instead of turning off the engine as instructed, Arzuaga sped off, running three stop signs.
Arzuaga got on Route 53 and headed south at a speed higher than 95 mph, Mennie said.
Chicago police arrested Arzuaga on Wednesday outside his home.
Arzuaga was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing and eluding. If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces a maximum sentence of seven years. Probation is also an option.
Arzuaga next appears in court on Sept. 15.