Prosecutors say a man, who was previously convicted of being the getaway driver in a murder and also charged as a juvenile with murder, has been arrested for possessing a loaded gun and fleeing police in Vernon Hills.
Dwayne C. Mills, 33, of Chicago, was charged with possessing a firearm by a repeat felony offender, a Class X felony, and enhanced felon in possession of a weapon, a Class 2 felony.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said officers with the Vernon Hills Police Department observed a blue Honda Pacifica on March 25 with a license plate that did not match the vehicle.
The license plate on the vehicle came back to a salvaged 2006 Honda coupe.
Officers knew the vehicle was previously used when Mills fled from police in an incident on February 28 in Vernon Hills, McConnell said.
A traffic stop was conducted on the Honda Pacifica and a woman exited the driver’s seat without being asked and began walking towards the officers.
McConnell said Mills then jumped into the driver’s seat but one of the detectives was able to grab the keys out of the ignition of the car before Mills could do anything.
Mills fled on foot and officers gave chase, at which time Mills threw a handgun on the ground, McConnell said.
They were eventually able to arrest Mills and recover the unserialized Polymer 80 handgun, which resembled a Glock but is a “ghost gun.”
McConnell said the gun was loaded with four rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.
Mills had an active warrant in the felony fleeing to elude case, along with a second warrant in a major traffic case.
Mills was previously convicted of robbery, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and unlawful vehicular invasion in Cook County.
McConnell said Mills was recently involved in a murder and convicted of driving while license suspended and attempted fleeing and eluding as a result.
Mills was present during the murder of a 32-year-old man in Cook County on February 17, 2021, McConnell said.
He fled the scene with the gunman who shot the victim, McConnell said. Mills did not stop for police until the vehicle crashed.
McConnell said Mills was also charged with murder when he was a juvenile and spent time in the Department of Corrections Youth Center for the charge, but there is no disposition in the case.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Mills pending trial, arguing he is a threat to the community and a willful flight risk.
Lake County Judge James Simonian granted the petition and remanded Mills to the Lake County Jail.
Mills is scheduled to appear in court again on April 17 for a preliminary hearing.