Authorities say a parolee tried running away from police officers but tripped and fell, causing him to drop a loaded gun onto the ground in Zion.
Lakendis B. Glaspie, 29, of Zion, was charged with possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, felon in possession of a weapon enhanced, three counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting a peace officer causing injury, unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver and registration violation.
Officers were on patrol on Saturday near 23rd Street and Jethro Avenue in Zion.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd said they noticed a silver Nissan Altima traveling without a front license plate.
A traffic stop was initiated and Glaspie was the driver of the vehicle.
Officers learned Glaspie was on parole for a weapons-related offense and they could smell cannabis from the car, Shepherd said.
Glaspie was asked to step out and officers went to conduct a pat down of him.
Shepherd said Glaspie ran away from officers but they were able to catch him when he tried and fell to the ground.
A Glock 43 handgun, which had a fully loaded magazine inserted, fell out of Glaspie’s pocket, Shepherd said.
An officer suffered cuts and scrapes to his knee during the incident.
Glaspie does not have a concealed carry license or Firearm Owner’s Identification card. He is a convicted felon, Shepherd said.
State records show Glaspie was paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) in March 2024.
He had been transferred to IDOC in May 2022 to serve a seven-year sentence for enhanced felon in possession of a firearm, a Class 2 felony, for a 2021 Lake County case.
State records show Glaspie also has served a six-year sentence for the same exact offense in a 2018 Lake County case.
The IDOC has issued a parole violation warrant following his latest arrest.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial, which was granted by Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim on Monday.
Glaspie is scheduled to appear in court again on March 5 for a preliminary hearing.