A man was charged with driving under the influence and another was charged with possessing a stolen and loaded firearm during a traffic stop in Zion earlier this month.
Douglas Alexander, 32, of Zion, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class A misdemeanor.
He was also charged with illegally stopping, standing or parking and transporting or carrying alcoholic liquor, which are both petty offenses.
Kenneth Gullens, 30, of Urbana, was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, both Class 2 felonies.
The Zion Police Department responded at 5:27 a.m. on March 2 to Green Bay Road and Russell Road for a report of a silver 2024 Nissan Altima rental vehicle parked in the eastbound lanes with three people sleeping inside.
Officers arrived and found the Nissan in the lane of traffic, Zion Police Lieutenant Derek Zaloudek said.
Officers woke up the driver, allegedly Alexander, and noticed signs of impairment and intoxication during their interaction.
Alexander was arrested for DUI following an investigation, Zaloudek said.
“With the other passengers also exhibiting signs of impairment and thus unable to safely drive the Nissan, officers ordered them from the vehicle so that it could be towed away,” Zaloudek said.
The front seat passenger, Gullens, allegedly refused to exit and demanded to retain possession of the Nissan.
Officers removed Gullens from the vehicle and arrested him.
He was found with a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P9C reported stolen through an Indiana law enforcement agency, Zaloudek said.
Gullens is also a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms from a 2011 Lake County case where he was found guilty of recklessly discharging a firearm, court records show.
All occupants of the Nissan were transported to the Zion Police Department.
Alexander was issued a court appearance for March 26 and was released.
Gullens was charged and appeared for his first appearance hearing on March 3, where Lake County Judge Janelle Christensen ordered him held until his detention hearing.
A detention hearing was held on Tuesday and Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered him detained in the Lake County Jail pending trial.
Gullens is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 2.
“The third occupant was released without charges and thus will not be identified,” Zaloudek said.