Ill. man allegedly led police on New Year's Day chase
BUTLER TWP — An Illinois man is behind bars on charges he led police on a New Year's Day chase in his vehicle — an old police car.
Juan A. Cardenas, 26, of Naperville, was caught late Wednesday morning after he crashed his car into a tree in the township's Highfield section and tried running from officers, authorities said.
One of the officers deployed his Taser, according to Butler Township police, before Cardenas was arrested. Police said they also seized suspected methamphetamine and marijuana following vehicle and foot pursuits
Cardenas is charged with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police, and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
He also is facing numerous traffic violations, including driving with a suspended license.
An officer first saw the Cardenas around 11:20 a.m. driving recklessly in a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria on Route 8 south in Bredinville, police said. His 25-year-old girlfriend, from Wisconsin, was riding in the car.
Police believe the couple had been staying with a friend in the Butler area.
Cardenas turned onto Hansen Avenue and then Armco Drive before an officer activated his emergency lights and siren, but the suspect did not stop.
The pursuit continued for four miles or so, police said, before the Cardenas struck a tree at the dead end on Arlington Avenue. He got out and ran into woods. He was Tasered and subsequently nabbed.
Police said they found a syringe on the floor of the vehicle. They also allegedly found suspected methamphetamine and marijuana in the purse of Cardenas' girlfriend.
Police said they believe the drugs belonged to the defendant. The woman was not charged in the incident.
Cardenas' preliminary hearing is set Jan. 16. Online court records did not list an attorney for him.
