Jan. 02--A Chicago man who led police on a chase New Year's Eve was nabbed eating at a Stickney restaurant, where he fought with the town's police chief after trying to hide in a restroom, authorities said.
Stickney police officers were waved down about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday after a suspicious person with a power saw was spotted underneath vehicles in the area, according to Stickney Deputy Chief Rich Jaczak.
Officers saw the man in a car, but he sped off and ditched the vehicle after a brief chase through neighboring Berwyn, Jaczak said.
About two hours later, an officer saw the man at a restaurant with two other people. Other officers, including Stickney police Chief John Sladetz, were called to the scene. The two people with the man were taken into custody without incident, but the suspect went into a restroom, Jaczak said.
Sladetz ordered the man to come out, and when he did, the man began to struggle with the chief and other officers at the scene, Jaczak said. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Police said they discovered eight catalytic converters in the car he abandoned.
The suspect, Arthur L. Payne, 20, of the 6100 block of South Wood Street, was charged Friday with felony theft, attempted theft, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest, Jaczak said. He was denied bail at a court hearing Friday afternoon. The other two men were released without charges.
Police are investigating whether Payne was involved in other catalytic converter thefts in towns near Stickney.
