A 25-year-old Highland man, Anthony Acuna, was arrested on January 9 after police found him inside a stolen SUV with a loaded handgun and methamphetamine paraphernalia, according to court records.
Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of West Chicago Avenue after a caller reported a suspicious maroon SUV. Upon arrival, they found a red Hyundai SUV with mismatched license plates running in the parking lot. Acuna was inside the vehicle, shirtless and appearing asleep.
When officers attempted to remove him, Acuna resisted and reached toward a black Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun located between the driver’s seat and center console. A Taser was eventually deployed before he was taken into custody.
A VIN check confirmed the SUV was stolen from Highland, and a woman confirmed she had not given permission for the vehicle or plates to be taken. Police also found a pipe containing methamphetamine residue inside the SUV.
Acuna has a prior Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury conviction, making him a serious violent felon under Indiana law and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Charges filed January 10, 2026, include:
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Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
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Auto Theft – Level 6 Felony
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Possession of Methamphetamine (less than 5 grams) – Level 6 Felony
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Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
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Possession of Paraphernalia / Introducing a Controlled Substance Into the Body – Class C Misdemeanor
Acuna remains in custody pending further court proceedings