Chicago Man Facing Multiple Charges After East Chicago Vehicle Theft Investigation
Paul Jeffery Lucas II, 42, of Chicago, Illinois, is facing multiple charges in Lake County following an East Chicago vehicle theft investigation that also led to the discovery of methamphetamine during the booking process.
According to court documents, on March 5, 2026, at approximately 5:14 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Indianapolis Boulevard in East Chicago in reference to a suspicious person described as a Black male wearing a green coat and orange hat. Officers arrived and observed a male later identified as Lucas standing in the parking lot next to the passenger side of a 2007 Pontiac G6. Police reported Lucas was seen pulling on the door handle of the vehicle but was unable to gain entry because the vehicle was locked.
Officers made contact with Lucas and asked for identification. According to the affidavit, Lucas provided an Illinois driver’s license identifying himself as Paul Jeffery Lucas II. When asked what he was doing, Lucas reportedly told officers he was “trying to get ride.” When officers asked if he knew the person who owned the Pontiac, he did not respond. When asked if he had his own vehicle, Lucas reportedly looked around and stated, “yeah, but don’t know where it is.”
Investigators determined Lucas matched the description of a suspect connected to a vehicle theft reported the previous day involving a 2013 GMC Savanna work van taken from the alley in the 4900 block of Tod Avenue in East Chicago. Police reported the suspect was described as a Black male wearing glasses, an orange durag and a green coat. Officers also had obtained a photograph of the theft suspect and reported Lucas was wearing the same clothing seen in the image.
Police also determined Lucas was the registered owner of a Nissan Pathfinder that had been left behind at the scene of the auto theft. During a search prior to placing Lucas in a police vehicle, officers located two sets of keys. One key operated the Nissan Pathfinder left at the theft scene, while the second set contained multiple keys including a GMC vehicle key.
According to the affidavit, officers later located the stolen GMC Savanna in the backyard of a residence in the 4800 block of Olcott Avenue, approximately one block from where Lucas had been detained. Police reported the GMC key recovered from Lucas worked in both the door and ignition of the stolen van.
A witness told police she observed Lucas walk over to her vehicle and attempt to gain entry, but was unable to do so because the doors were locked. The witness told police she called for help because she feared Lucas and did not know him.
Court documents state that during the booking process Lucas became combative with officers. Police reported Lucas tensed his muscles and attempted to pull away from officers while being escorted to a holding cell, resulting in officers performing a takedown before he was secured.
While Lucas was being processed, officers located a clear plastic bag containing a white crystallized substance on the floor near the booking intake desk. After reviewing surveillance footage, investigators determined the substance fell during Lucas’s physical struggle with officers. Detectives later field tested the substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 0.85 grams.
Charges filed March 7,2026:
• Possession of Methamphetamine — Level 6 Felony
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle Component Part — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement — Class A Misdemeanor
• Resisting Law Enforcement — Class A Misdemeanor
