Two suspected gang members, who are both under 21, were arrested after police found them with loaded guns during a traffic stop in North Chicago following a shooting in Waukegan, prosecutors said.
The North Chicago Police Department received a report on June 27 that there was a recent shots fired incident in Waukegan and a black vehicle was seen on 10th Street fleeing the scene.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Windmoeller said officers later saw a vehicle matching the description on 10th Street and Park Avenue in North Chicago.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with its four occupants.
Alexis Diaz, 20, of Waukegan, was in the rear passenger seat and Anthony Arizmendi, 20, of Beach Park, was in the rear driver’s seat, Windmoeller said.
Officers saw open alcohol in the car and a probable cause search was conducted.
Windmoeller said a loaded Glock handgun with 11 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber was recovered on the floorboard near Diaz’s feet.
A second loaded Glock handgun with 15 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber was recovered under Arizmendi’s seat.
The driver told officers that she saw both men carrying guns in their waistbands earlier in the evening, Windmoeller said.
The driver also witnesses Diaz stand up in the vehicle, put his head through the sunroof and discharge his firearm earlier in the night, Windmoeller said.
Diaz and Arizmendi are both under 21, do not have valid Firearm Owner’s Identification cards or concealed carry licenses.
Windmoeller said Diaz is a suspected member of the Latin Kings street gang with a history of weapons offenses and is on felony probation for aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony.
Arizmendi has a history of weapons offenses that stretch to when he was a juvenile. He is also an active member of the Latin Kings street gang, Windmoeller said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed petitions to detain both men pending trial, arguing they pose a danger to the community.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted both requests following separate detention hearings. Both are being held in the Lake County Jail.
Arizmendi is scheduled to appear in court again on August 27 for a case management hearing.
Diaz is scheduled to appear in court again on August 25 for a case management conference.