POLICE PEPPER DEFIANT AUTO THEFT SUSPECT WHO REFUSED TO SURRENDER, LIT CIGARETTE

Pepper-balled John Raspitha, 34, is accused of attempting to elude police in a wild chase on the streets of Aurora in a stolen van, officials said Wednesday.

Once officers stopped the speeding suspect, he refused to surrender - and lit a cigarette. Exasperated, they smashed a window and pelted the hot-rodder with a volley of pepper balls. He gave up. From the Chevy Express van, police recovered credit cards, debit cards and ID cards belonging to other people. The incident occurred Saturday evening. [Photo: Aurora Police Department]