An auto repair shop owner was arrested after police learned he was selling drugs from his business in Waukegan and then found drugs, cash and a gun during a search.
The Waukegan Police Department Community Crimes Division executed a search warrant at Victor Auto Repair, 701 Belvidere Road, around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Scott Chastain said the target of the search warrant was Victor Montes De Oca Lopez, 63, of Waukegan.
Detectives received information that Montes De Oca Lopez, who is a convicted felon, was selling drugs from the business, Chastain said.
An investigation was initiated and a search warrant was obtained for Montes De Oca Lopez and the business.
Officers stopped Montes De Oca Lopez as he was leaving his home for driving on a revoked driver’s license.
The search warrant was executed on the business and detectives located 31 grams of cocaine and 59 grams of cannabis in his office, along with a loaded revolver in another area, Chastain said.
Chastain said Montes De Oca Lopez was found in possession of $11,094 in cash, which was seized pending forfeiture proceedings.
Montes De Oca Lopez was charged with felon in possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 500 feet of a park, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 500 feet of a school, possession of ammunition by a felon and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) assisted in the investigation.
“This was a great collaborative effort between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Waukegan Police Department in combating narcotics distribution,” Chastain said.
The SIG had conducted a similar investigation on Montes De Oca Lopez in October 2023 and arrested him for possessing a firearm and a large amount of cocaine and fentanyl.
Court records show that case is still active and he was released from custody following the arrest with pre-trial conditions.
Montes De Oca Lopez is scheduled to appear for a First Appearance Court hearing on Thursday.