An 18-year-old man is being held on a $350,000 bond after deputies responding to a shots fired call in Wadsworth found him illegally possessing a gun, prosecutors said.
Alexander Gutierrez, 18, of Gurnee, was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a knife, illegal transportation of cannabis, illegal possession of ammunition and driving with expired registration.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Valiulis said officers received a call for shots fired.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call last Tuesday, records show.
The 911 caller reported hearing four or five gunshots and saw a white vehicle driving away southbound, Valiulis said during a bond hearing.
Deputies observed a white sedan driving near Chaplin Street and Magnolia Avenue in Wadsworth.
The car had expired registration and a traffic stop was conducted, Valiulis said.
Gutierrez was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.
Valiulis said that Gutierrez was asked to step out of the car and he began fiddling around with something.
Deputies found a 9mm magazine in the man’s pocket. An unloaded 9mm handgun was found in a satchel bag.
A spent shell casing was found inside his car. Gutierrez also admitted that the gun belonged to him.
Gutierrez does not have a Firearm Owners Identification card or concealed carry license.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Gutierrez held on a $350,000 bond, meaning he would need to post $35,000 cash in order to be released.
Gutierrez remains held in the Lake County Jail as of Tuesday.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 6 for a status of attorney hearing.