A North Chicago man allegedly led police on a brief pursuit before he crashed into a tree and fled on foot, leaving behind a loaded gun in his car, prosecutors said.
An officer with the Zion Police Department saw a white Dodge Journey disobey a stop sign on August 13, 2023.
The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle but it failed to stop, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd.
The Dodge traveled at a high rate of speed and went through stop signs at 30th Street and Bethel Boulevard.
Shepherd said the officer terminated the pursuit for safety reasons but continued to follow in the direction of the vehicle.
Officers found the Dodge had crashed into a light pole and was disabled at 30th Street and Eschol Avenue.
The suspect was seen fleeing on foot from the scene and he successfully escaped the area, Shepherd said.
Officers found mail belonging to Toneray Buckhalter, 34, of North Chicago, in the backseat of the car.
Other identifying items and a work card were also found in the car belonging to Buckhalter, Shepherd said.
A loaded 9mm handgun was found in the center console of the car. DNA was collected from the car and the gun and sent for testing.
Shepherd said Buckhalter has a revoked Firearm Owner’s Identification card and is not allowed to possess firearms.
He has two prior convictions related to illegally possessing guns.
Buckhalter’s wife owns the car and the woman reported her husband had the car at the time of the incident, Shepherd said.
Buckhalter was charged with possession of a firearm with a revoked FOID, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated fleeing to elude.
An arrest warrant was issued for him in April 2024 and he was taken into custody on September 11.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted a petition to detain Buckhalter in the Lake County Jail pending trial during a detention hearing.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case for October 8.