A convicted felon faces severe legal consequences after being accused of possessing a loaded firearm, alongside an array of controlled substances, at a family-friendly recreation center in Naperville.
As reported by a joint news release from the Naperville Police Department and DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, bond was denied for Darron Prince, who faces one count of Armed Habitual Criminal and one count of Armed Violence, both Class X felonies.
The charges pertain to events on Monday, September 11, when a Naperville police officer discovered a gun and the odor of cannabis in an unoccupied Volkswagen SUV at TopGolf on Odyssey Court.
Approximately one hour later, Mr. Prince returned to the parking lot, and police officers initiated a traffic stop. During the encounter, it is alleged that Prince reached toward the door frame where the gun was located, prompting police officers to intervene. Upon searching the vehicle, authorities discovered a loaded Glock 42 handgun, 40 grams of cannabis, 1.2 grams of mushrooms, 12 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of heroin, and one pill of MDMA.
Importantly, Prince has a history of multiple felony convictions already, including Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Gang Member and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon. He also has pending theft (Class 1 Felony) and Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony) cases out of Will County. DuPage County State's Attorney, Robert Berlin, emphasizes that with multiple felony convictions, "there is absolutely no justification whatsoever why Mr. Prince was in possession of a loaded firearm."
Naperville Chief of Police, Jason Arres, reiterates, "Our officers are making an extraordinary effort to keep this community safe."
