Police Find Gun After Brief Chase In Aurora

AURORA, IL — A convicted felon with a gun led police on a brief chase before landing in someone's front lawn on the city's west side. Artis Thomas, 33, now faces a slew of fresh charges for Tuesday's misadventure.

The episode began around 3:30 p.m. Dec. 12 when Aurora police saw a pickup truck in the 500 block of North Westlawn Avenue known to be involved in criminal actions. Officers saw Thomas get into the truck and drive away, according to police, and he's known to have a suspended license. Police tried to stop him in the 700 block of North Randall Road after they saw Thomas make a turn without signaling, but he tried to flee, police said.

He didn't get far, coming to rest in someone's yard. Police said they found a loaded handgun in the truck.

Thomas was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle and failure to signal. Thomas had two outstanding warrants against him, too, one for driving on a suspended license and one for domestic violence. He was jailed, with bail set at $212,000, and is due in Kane County court on Monday.

This arrest comes a few days after another habitual criminal with a gun led Aurora police on a chase.

photo of Artis Thomas via Aurora Police