Evanston police say they found a loaded gun and a small quantity of marijuana in a car after pulling the driver over for a minor traffic violation Friday night.
Police say that when an officer approached the car about 8:30 p.m. after pulling it over at the intersection of Simpson Street and Crawford Avenue, he noticed an odor of marijuana coming from inside as well as furtive movements being made by a back-seat passenger.
With backup from additional officers and the Skokie Police Department Canine Unit, police say they searched car and its four occupants and found four grams of suspected marijuana and a loaded .38 caliber handgun that had been stolen in Michigan.
The gun was found in a backpack on the floor of the back seat.
The driver of the car, Luis D. Gomez, 25, of 2125 Emerson St. was charged with a city ordinance violation for possession of cannabis.
A back-seat passenger, Eduardo A. Cruz, 28, of 2013 Dodge Ave., who police say is a suspected gang member, was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and three other gun-related charges.
Both men are scheduled to appear in Skokie district court at 9 a.m., July 27.
The other two passengers in the car were released without charges.
Great arrest…
This fine arrest should not go unnoticed by Evanston residents. A stolen gun has been taken off the streets, and a hoodlum is back in the court system. Hopefully he will end up where he belongs, encarcerated. Thank you , officers, for a job well done.
Don’t Count on it
Some judge will feel sorry for him and his [supposed] bad background and lecture the officers for picking on him.
We just keep processing the criminals and they keep learning they have little to risk until they are killed or kill someone else—but even then they will be given short sentences by judges or some parole board will say 'they have changed and will be good citizens' from now on. 'Now on' meaning until they commit their next crime.
Cynicism toward the Cook
Cynicism toward the Cook County justice sytem is understandable, Anonymous, and the revolving door is frustrating for everyone at every step of the process… but it didn't prevent the Evanston officers from doing their job well. Thank goodness. Thanks again, EPD!
Great Job
Ditto……. Evanston has one of the best police departments in the country. Chalk up another fine job.
Thank u Evanston police for
Thank u Evanston police for keeping us safe . The police are always put down by ppl in this town and really if ur child was shot with that gun you would be sorry