Crime & Safety
Aurora, IL Carjacking Update Today: Man Faces 4 Felony Charges
Aurora, IL – A 24 year old Aurora man is facing four felony charges after a violent weekend carjacking left a driver injured and led to a police operation lasting several hours before two men were tak
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-19T23:43:52.103Z
Aurora, IL – A 24 year old Aurora man is facing four felony charges after a violent weekend carjacking left a driver injured and led to a police operation lasting several hours before two men were taken into custody.
According to the Aurora Police Department , officers responded to South Farnsworth Avenue and Summerlin Drive around 4:04 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, following reports of a vehicular hijacking.
Investigators say the victim stopped after another vehicle struck his car from behind. When he exited, one man allegedly punched and kicked him in the face while another pushed him.
Both men then fled in the victim's vehicle and the vehicle they arrived in.
The victim later received hospital treatment and was released.
License Plate Readers Help Locate Stolen Vehicle
Police used license plate reader information and city camera footage to identify the vehicles involved.
Investigators traced one vehicle to a residence in the 500 block of Grand Avenue, where officers located both vehicles.
Police established a perimeter and deployed crisis negotiators and the department's Special Response Team.
Thomas Kovach, 24, of Aurora, voluntarily exited the residence and was arrested around 8:52 p.m.
A second man remained inside despite repeated requests to surrender. Following a search warrant, officers entered and arrested him without incident at approximately 11:39 p.m.
Four Felony Charges Authorized
The Kendall County State's Attorney's Office authorized four felony charges against Kovach:
Vehicular hijacking, Class 1 felony Possession of a stolen motor vehicle, Class 2 felony Aggravated battery on a public way, Class 3 felony Mob action, Class 4 felony Kovach remained at the Kendall County Public Safety Center pending a detention hearing when police issued their Monday update.
The second man was detained on an outstanding warrant but had not been charged in the carjacking investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Aurora Police at 630 256 5500 .
The investigation remains ongoing. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.