ELMHURST, Ill. — Police arrested two suspects in a stolen vehicle case after deploying a tire deflation device to stop a fleeing car, authorities said.
The suspects, Abdulhafedh H. Abdulhafedh, 25, of Aurora, and Wenzel C. Draper, 32, of Chicago, were found in a silver Honda CR-V that had previously fled from police in Naperville, Aurora, and Downers Grove. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Chicago.
On Wednesday afternoon, Elmhurst officers spotted the SUV traveling north on York Street and deployed the deflation device as it entered the ramp to Interstate 290. The driver continued fleeing before stopping in Maywood after the vehicle’s tires were disabled.
The suspects then abandoned the vehicle and ran, prompting a search involving multiple agencies and a Chicago police helicopter. Officers eventually apprehended Abdulhafedh and Draper, while a third suspect escaped.
Both men are charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of stolen license plates. Abdulhafedh also faces an additional charge of obstructing an officer.
