Man Faces Charges For Allegations He Stole Car

ST. CHARLES, IL — A St. Charles Township man faces several felony charges for allegations he stole a car — and possibly more vehicles — and was in possession of drugs and weapons during his arrest last month in Kane County.

Eric C. Karwowski has been charged with aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, three counts of possession of stolen motor vehicle, four counts of theft, possession of a firearm by felon and unlawful possession of controlled substances, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office launched an investigation into a reported stolen vehicle — a black Mercedes Benz G550 — on Dec. 28. The sheriff's office was called to assist a Texas police department, Southlake Police Department, in the investigation of the stolen car, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

The stolen car was tracked by the registered owner's GPS and found parked in a driveway in the 43W000 block of Badger Court in St. Charles Township, according to a news release. Deputies also found a black Land Rover Range Rover 4.4, white Tesla model X, black Audi Quattro A3 and white BMW X4.

The homeowner, who was identified as Karwowski, was asked for registration and proof of ownership of the cars and he could not provide any proper documentation, police said. Police found the VIN information did not match what was found inside the vehicles.

All vehicles were towed to the sheriff's office until further investigation and a search warrant could be obtained, police said. Deputies searched a home on Badger Court on Jan. 3 and found: three long rifles, one pistol, a VIN press, VIN stickers, VIN rivets, a laser engraver, a cell phone jammer, five to six computers, three cell phones, fictitious vehicle paperwork, and financial documents.

Deputies also searched Karwowski's vehicle and found: cash in various denominations, 12.49 grams of cocaine, .99 grams of heroin, a stolen BMW key, a Lexus key, burglary tools, and an electronic license plate cover.

An investigation is ongoing and the sheriff's office is working with the Illinois Secretary of State as further charges are possible in the case. Karwowski is currently in custody at the Kane County jail and is next expected in court on Feb. 21.