A man allegedly pointed a loaded gun at another motorist after the two got into a road rage altercation while driving in Wauconda, prosecutors said.
James H. Piel, 54, of Wauconda, was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Wauconda Police Department responded around 10 p.m. on June 13 to Bonner Road and Brown Street for a driving altercation.
Prosecutors said the victim reported there was a traffic altercation where a subject, later identified as Piel, was trying to pass him.
The victim did not allow Piel into the lane but Piel was eventually able to pass the victim.
The victim began tailgating Piel and Piel brake-checked the victim, which happened multiple times before the victim rear-ended Piel, prosecutors said.
Piel continued driving and the victim followed him while calling 911.
Piel stopped in the middle of the road and got out of his vehicle while armed with a handgun, prosecutors said.
Piel allegedly walked toward the victim’s vehicle while racking a round into the chamber of the gun.
Prosecutors said Piel went to the passenger’s side of the vehicle and pointed the gun toward the victim while telling him to stop following him.
Piel got back into his vehicle and drove off while the victim remained at the scene for police.
Police later located the suspect vehicle at Piel’s residence and officers spoke with Piel, who initially told them he had been home most of the day.
Piel corrected himself and said he had just gotten home a little while prior but denied being involved in a traffic altercation, prosecutors said.
A person who was in the car with Piel at the time of the incident confirmed the victim’s account of the events.
Officers took Piel into custody and they later recovered the gun, a 9mm Springfield Hellcat with a round in the chamber and 14 rounds in the magazine.
Piel later admitted he lied to officers and admitted to what occurred, prosecutors said.
He also said he removed identifying stickers from his car after getting home and placed the gun into the safe where it was recovered.
Piel had a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card but no concealed carry license.
The charges against Piel are non-detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act and Lake County Judge Ari Fisz was required to release Piel from custody following a First Appearance Court hearing.
Piel is scheduled to appear for a status of preliminary hearing on July 9.