Alleged luxury car thief arrested with bevy of fraud tools, guns and drugs in suburbs
ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Five stolen luxury cars, several tools to commit fraud, guns and drugs were found at the home of a St. Charles Township man, authorities allege.
Eric Karwowski, 42, is facing eight charges after a stolen vehicle investigation was launched last year in Southlake, Texas.

The owner of a black Mercedes Benz G550, tracked their stolen vehicle through GPS and Kane County deputies then located it parked in a driveway in the 43W000 block of Badger Court in St. Charles Township.
Deputies also located and towed a Land Rover Range Rover 4.4, Tesla Model X, Audi Quanttro A3 and a BMW X4 from the property. All were allegedly stolen.
Karwowski identified himself as the owner of all the vehicles but allegedly could not provide any proper documentation. The vehicles’ VIN information did not match what was located within the vehicles, according to police.
A search warrant was executed at the home on Jan. 3 and authorities found a bevy of intricate fraud tools, firearms and drugs.
The following was recovered from the home, authorities allege.
- VIN press
- VIN stickers
- VIN rivets
- Laser engraver
- Cell phone jammer
- Five to six computers
- Fake vehicle paperwork
- Financial documents
- Three long rifles
- Pistol
Another search warrant was executed on his vehicle. Over 12 grams of cocaine, nearly a gram of heroin, cash, an electronic license plate cover, burglary tools, a Lexus key and a stolen BMW key were recovered, according to authorities.
Karwowski was ordered detained until his next court hearing and is facing charges of aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, theft, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm – FOID ineligible, possession of ammunition by a felon, unlawful possession of controlled substances and posession of burglary tools.
Further investigation is pending with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
Karwowski’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 21.