Detectives conducting surveillance amid an increase in crime in an area in Vernon Hills arrested a convicted felon who cut off an unmarked squad car and was found with a loaded gun.
Demarco D. Batson, 34, of Chicago, was charged with felon in possession of a weapon enhanced, three counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and improper turn signal.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts said an uptick in criminal activity was reported at the Emerald Pointe Apartments in the 600 block of Westmoreland Drive in Vernon Hills.
The Vernon Hills Police Department increased patrols and presence in the area in marked and unmarked cars.
Shanley-Roberts said officers were surveilling the apartment building on April 7 when they observed Batson enter the building.
He remained inside for approximately 30 minutes and came out with an Aldi bag, which he put in the trunk of his car, Shanley-Roberts said.
Batson went back inside the building for a few minutes and came back outside before driving away.
Officers followed Batson and Batson cut off an unmarked detective squad car, failing to signal until he was actively switching lanes, Shanley-Roberts said.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on Batson’s vehicle around 4:30 p.m. and he was the sole occupant of the car.
Shanley-Roberts said a canine unit responded to the scene and performed a free air sniff before positively alerting on the car.
Officers performed a probable cause search and found a Glock 17 handgun in the Aldi bag in the trunk.
The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber and a loaded magazine inserted.
“The defendant possessed the gun while loaded and while outside in a public area — his car was parked in the parking lot of the apartment building,” Shanley-Roberts said.
Batson, who does not have a Firearm Owner’s Identification card or concealed carry license, had just gotten off parole for a Cook County case where he was convicted of aggravated unlawful use of weapons.
A public defender for Batson said his client was on his way to work in Wisconsin and was at the apartment building because his girlfriend and their children reside there.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Batson pending trial and Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted the petition following a detention hearing last week.
Batson remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on April 30 for a preliminary hearing.