A sheriff’s SWAT team and ATF agents have arrested a Gurnee man and a North Chicago man accused of trafficking guns in Lake County, with one of the suspects ramming a squad car in Gurnee.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) announced Tuesday that they worked in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Chicago Field Division on a joint investigation that resulted in the arrests of two suspects involved in illegal firearm trafficking.
SIG detectives and ATF agents launched the investigation in August into Najzierian K. Myers, 25, of North Chicago, for his suspected involvement in gun running, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Myers allegedly sold four firearms to undercover detectives during the investigation.
Investigators also learned Myers had multiple outstanding arrest warrants and was reportedly planning to engage in violent criminal activity, including a potential bank robbery, Covelli said.
Detectives also found that Myers enlisted Blake Everett, 26, of Gurnee, to unlawfully purchase a firearm on his behalf.
Everett arrived at a location in Gurnee on Monday to provide Myers with a firearm, Covelli said. He was taken into custody without incident after arriving.
Members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team then moved in to arrest Myers, who was seated in a vehicle in a parking lot in the 6100 block of Grand Avenue in Gurnee waiting for Everett.
Covelli said Myers attempted to flee by ramming a marked sheriff’s squad car occupied by a sheriff’s deputy.
He was unsuccessful and also struck a nearby parked vehicle before fleeing on foot.
SWAT officers pursued and tackled Myers, who initially resisted arrest but was taken into custody.
Myers suffered a “medical episode” after his arrest and lost consciousness, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s detectives provided first aid until paramedics arrived and transported him to an area hospital where he currently remains in custody in stable condition.
Investigators recovered a stolen handgun located beneath a vehicle along the path Myers took while fleeing arrest, approximately 12 ecstasy pills packaged for sale and a digital scale inside Myers’ vehicle, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges against Myers of gun running, four counts of unlawful sale of a firearm, aggravated fleeing and eluding, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and resisting a peace officer.
He also had a total of eight outstanding arrest warrants for various prior cases.
Everett was charged with one count of unlawful purchase of a firearm.
“Straw purchasing puts firearms in the hands of criminals and contributes to violence in our communities. ATF is committed to working alongside the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Special Investigations Group to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who illegally purchase firearms on behalf of others,” said Christopher Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF – Chicago Field Division.
“I’m proud of the outstanding collaboration and professionalism shown by our Special Investigations Group and the ATF – Chicago Field Division in bringing this operation to a successful resolution. SIG works diligently to keep our community safer by arresting violent people and removing illegally possessed weapons from our streets,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
Everett appeared in First Appearance Court on Tuesday morning and was ordered held until a detention hearing, which is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Myers will appear in First Appearance Court after his release from the hospital.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they thank the Gurnee Police Department for their assistance during the operation.