What started as a routine evening traffic stop in Chicago Heights ended with a felony gun charge for a 37-year-old driver, according to investigators.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested Dandre Edmond of Chicago Heights after finding a loaded handgun during a Thursday night traffic stop in the south suburb.
According to a post by the Cook County Sheriff's Office, investigators with the Organized Crime Division pulled over a blue Jeep for a traffic violation at about 5:50 p.m. Thursday in the 0-100 block of West 23rd Street in Chicago Heights. Deputies reported finding a loaded firearm inside the vehicle. Prosecutors approved a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and the sheriff’s office identified Edmond as the driver.
South suburban stops keep turning up guns
Incidents like Thursday’s arrest are not unusual in Cook County’s south suburbs, where sheriff’s police regularly report finding firearms during vehicle stops. Similar cases, including recent arrests in Chicago Heights and nearby communities where deputies recovered loaded handguns during traffic stops, have been reported by FOX 32 Chicago and by stolen gun, toddler in backseat.
Legal consequences
Under Illinois law, a person with a prior felony conviction is prohibited from knowingly possessing a firearm, and violations are prosecuted as felony offenses. The Illinois Criminal Code outlines those prohibitions and the potential penalties, which can include multi-year prison terms depending on aggravating factors; see the Illinois Criminal Code for details.
Court status and next steps
The sheriff’s post notes that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. According to the sheriff’s office, Edmond was ordered to remain in Cook County Jail after an initial appearance at the Markham courthouse. His case remains pending as prosecutors and the court move forward.
