A man was arrested and found with a loaded gun after he led officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended in North Chicago over the weekend, prosecutors said.
Julian Ruiz-Casillas, 18, of Park City, was charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated fleeing to elude and three counts of disregarding a traffic control light.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts said officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in North Chicago on Friday.
A car, driven by Ruiz-Casillas, disobeyed a stop sign and then refused to stop for police, Shanley-Roberts said.
Officers paced the vehicle going 60 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Ruiz-Casillas ran a red light at 10th Street and Sheridan Road and then again at Sheridan Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Shanley-Roberts said.
Ruiz-Casillas ran a third red light at Bobby Thompson Expressway and Buckley Road.
A loaded 9mm handgun was found under the driver’s seat where Ruiz-Casillas was sitting, Shanley-Roberts said.
Ruiz-Casillas has no Firearm Owner’s Identification card or concealed carry license and is under the age of 21.
Shanley-Roberts said Ruiz-Casillas drove at a “very high” rate of speed through a partially residential area and put bystanders in risk of danger by running multiple red lights.
Shanley-Roberts also said it is believed Ruiz-Casillas has gang ties.
Lake County Judge Bolling Haxall ordered Ruiz-Casillas held on a $50,000 bond.
Ruiz-Casillas was released from the Lake County Jail after posting 10% of his bond.
A status of preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 10.