A 25-year-old Highland man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police found him inside a stolen SUV with a loaded handgun and suspected methamphetamine paraphernalia in East Chicago, according to court records.
Police were called to the area of Magoun Avenue and West Chicago Avenue on January 9, 2026, after a report of a suspicious SUV parked near a building. Officers located a red Hyundai SUV running with its lights on in the parking lot of 901 West Chicago Avenue. A license plate check showed the plate belonged to a different vehicle.
Officers found Anthony Acuna shirtless in the driver’s seat with his head down and appearing to be asleep. When police attempted to turn off the vehicle, they noticed the steering column was damaged. As officers opened the door and ordered Acuna to exit, he allegedly tensed up, balled his fists and resisted by pulling away.
During the attempt to remove him from the vehicle, an officer spotted a black handgun between the driver’s seat and center console. Police said Acuna continued resisting and made movements as if trying to reach the firearm. The gun was secured before he was fully removed from the SUV.
Police said Acuna continued to resist commands and was eventually subdued with a department-issued Taser. He was then taken into custody without further incident.
A VIN check confirmed the SUV had been reported stolen out of Highland. Investigators also found a pipe with residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine inside the vehicle. The handgun was identified as a Sig Sauer P365 9mm with a round in the chamber.
Court records show Acuna has a prior conviction for domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, classifying him as a serious violent felon prohibited from possessing a firearm.
He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, auto theft, possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia.