Armed robbery proceeds from McHenry County were recovered after an 18-year-old man, who was found with a loaded gun, was arrested for fleeing from police in Zion.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said a vehicle registered to Joseph Pressley Jr., 18, of Gurnee, was spotted disobeying a stop sign on November 25 in Zion.
A traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle fled, disobeying two more stop signs.
The Zion Police Department located the blue Nissan Altima days later around 7:15 p.m. on December 1 while patrolling in the 1500 block of Lorelei Drive, according to Zion Police Department Lt. Derek Zaloudek.
Officers approached the Nissan and found it occupied by Pressley and a second occupant.
The suspect occupant exited the car and fled when officers approached, Zaloudek said.
Pressley was detained and a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun was discovered inside the Nissan.
Vukovich said Pressley does not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card or a concealed carry license.
A wallet was located in the center console containing a debit card that belonged to a victim of an armed robbery that occurred in McHenry County.
Pressley was transported to the Zion Police Department where he admitted to fleeing from officers on November 25, Zaloudek said.
Vukovich said Pressley told officers he fled on November 25 because he was “high” and on probation.
Pressley also admitted that the gun found in the car belonged to him and said he bought it in Chicago, Vukovich said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges against Pressley that included four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated fleeing and eluding and possession of stolen property.
Pressley was transported to First Appearance Court where he was remanded to the custody of the Lake County Jail. Police are working to identify the other occupant who fled.
Pressley was on probation at the time for another aggravated unlawful use of a weapon case that he pleaded guilty to in September. He had been sentenced to the first-time gun offender program.
The state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain Pressley, calling him a real and present threat to the community.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted the petition and ordered Pressley detained pending trial.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 28.