A judge called a teenager dangerous after he ran on foot from police and was arrested for possessing a loaded gun in a store in Waukegan while he was on probation for a shooting.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon said a Waukegan Police Department detective was in an unmarked patrol squad around 2:50 p.m. on June 17 in the area of May Street and McAlister Avenue in Waukegan.
He observed two subjects, later identified as Jacob C. Wilson, 18, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a juvenile, who were walking into Imperial Food and Smoke, 703 South McAlister Avenue.
They were wearing heavy sweatshirts and pants and Wilson had a ski mask on his head. The juvenile was wearing his hood up.
Officers observed Wilson wearing an unzipped backpack on the front of his body, Cannon said.
Officers found it suspicious because it was approximately 91 degrees outside at the time.
The two males left the store and officers observed them walking down an alley southbound.
Additional officers were called and the two started running when they noticed the police, Cannon said.
The two briefly escaped but were soon seen running on George Street near McAlister Avenue. The juvenile suspect was carrying the backpack that Wilson had earlier.
The juvenile took off running westbound on Caroline Place and jumped over a fence, Cannon said. Wilson did not run away.
Officers recovered the backpack in the backyard of a residence where the juvenile was seen running.
A Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun with a large drum magazine was found in the backpack. The drum was loaded and the handgun had a round chambered.
Cannon said Wilson admitted to possessing the backpack earlier but said he did not know there was a gun in it, which detectives said was a lie based on further investigation.
Wilson does not have a Firearm Owner’s Identification card or concealed carry license and is under the age of 21.
Wilson was charged with four counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, a Class 4 felony.
He is also on juvenile probation for aggravated discharge of a firearm, Cannon said. In addition, Wilson has a conviction in a possession of a motor vehicle case.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Wilson pending trial, calling him a real and present danger to the community’s safety.
Lake County Judge D. Christopher Lombardo granted the petition during a detention hearing.
“Mr. Wilson, you are 18 years old and the only two things I know about you suggest you’re a dangerous person,” Lombardo said.
“… a dangerous person who maybe shouldn’t be in our community. You don’t even live in our state. You’re running around with guns,” the judge added.
Lombardo said that Wilson is “in the big leagues” now that he is no longer a juvenile. “You get to find out what it can mean to you because you’re facing mandatory prison.”
Wilson remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 15.