A 19-year-old man allegedly fled from police in Round Lake Park earlier this month and was later found unlawfully possessing a fully automatic handgun, prosecutors said.
Jacob Barnes, 19, of Zion, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated fleeing police.
On March 4, Round Lake Park police pursued a Jeep that was traveling 90 mph in a 30 mph zone, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelse Banks said at Barnes’ Friday bond hearing.
Officers looked at the driver, allegedly Barnes, and made note of him before eventually terminating the pursuit.
An alert was broadcasted to area police departments via the Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN).
The Jeep Cherokee was last seen traveling eastbound on Washington Street near Lake Street in Grayslake at around 12:28 a.m. that day, the alert said.
On Thursday, a Round Lake Park police officer spotted the same Jeep that fled on March 4.
Officers made a traffic stop and the passenger was identified as Barnes, Banks said.
Barnes was arrested and police allegedly found a Glock 23 with a 22-round extended magazine and a switch that converts the gun to fully automatic under the passenger seat.
Barnes does not have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card or concealed carry license, Banks added.
Barnes failed to appear in court for two active Lake County misdemeanor cases, one of which where he was charged with resisting and criminal trespass to vehicles, court records show.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak set Barnes’ bond at $500,000.
Barnes remains held at the Lake County Jail. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 11.