A Chicago man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after Hammond police say he was found driving a stolen vehicle and in possession of fraudulent identification, documents, and MDMA.
Leonel Romero, 30, was formally charged on August 2, 2025. According to court documents, a license plate reader alerted officers to a stolen 2025 gray Ford Mustang with Texas plates entering Hammond. Officers located the vehicle at a gas station at 4450 Calumet Avenue, where Romero was detained.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers reported detecting the strong odor of marijuana. Romero initially claimed the vehicle belonged to his boss and that he was making payments on it, but later gave conflicting statements. Officers confirmed the Mustang had been reported stolen by Ancira Ford in Floresville, Texas, through fraudulent means.…