Lake County Gazette

Three 17-year-olds were apprehended by Lake County Sheriff's deputies on April 13 on firearms charges following a traffic stop in Zion, near 27th Street and Galilee Avenue, at approximately 8:15 p.m. Drug possession charges are pending.

According to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, a deputy initiated the traffic stop due to a traffic infraction. The deputy reported that the driver and two passengers, all aged 17, appeared unusually nervous and evasive in their responses. Based on this behavior, the deputy requested assistance from a K9 unit. Upon the K9's arrival, the teens were asked to exit the vehicle. An assisting deputy began to pat down the front seat passenger and felt a firearm in his waistband. When the teen attempted to flee on foot, he was tackled by the deputy and taken into custody. A loaded pistol with an extended magazine containing 23 hollow-point rounds was recovered from him.

The release said that during this struggle, the driver fled on foot but stopped when warned of Taser deployment. The back seat passenger also fled but was apprehended after a short chase.

A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 7.62 caliber AK-style rifle with a 30-round magazine. Deputies also discovered approximately 75 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis, and drug packaging materials.

The three teens were taken to Hulse Juvenile Detention Facility near Vernon Hills. Deputies have petitioned for them to appear in juvenile court on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. Additional charges related to the drugs are pending. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.