Police arrest Kankakee man for stealing multiple vehicles

KANKAKEE — The Tri-County Auto theft Task Force arrested a Kankakee man for possession of a stolen motor vehicles Tuesday.

Ethan J. Smith, 20, was arrested about 10 a.m. Tuesday by members of the task force. Smith allegedly was found in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado that was reported missing to the Kankakee Police Department about 8:45 p.m., according to a news release from Tri-County Auto Task Force.

Investigators learned that Smith was also the suspect in several other vehicle thefts in Kankakee between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25.and a burglary to a vehicle that occurred in Kankakee Tuesday, according to the release.

A sixth charge of possession of a stolen vehicle was added later Tuesday. The vehicle was reported stolen Jan. 24 and was recovered in Kankakee, according to a Kankakee County Sheriff’s official.

Smith was booked at the Jerome Combs Detention Center on the charges of aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, five counts of possession of a stolen motor Vehicle, one count of burglary to motor vehicle and one count of possession of stolen property, according to the release.

Additional arrests are pending, according to the release.