2 Illegal Guns, Ammo Found During Traffic Stop: Arlington Heights PD

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A traffic stop turned into arrests of three Rolling Meadows men late last week when police found two guns in their car.

Mario Cazares, 19, of the 4800 block of Algonquin Parkway, and Leonel Cazares-Leon, 20, of the 4700 block of Arbor Drive, were charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, as well as misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a weapon/possession of ammunition without a valid FOID card.

Emmanuel Cruz-Valencia, 21, of the 4700 block of Arbor Drive, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a weapon and possession of ammunition without a valid FOID card.

All three were released following their initial court appearance.

Detectives from the Arlington Heights Police Department's Special Operations Group, who were working with patrol bureau officers, had stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at around 7:55 p.m. April 2, in the 300 block of E. Seegers Road.

During the stop, officers saw a loaded handgun magazine protruding from the sweatshirt pocket of Cazares-Leon, who was in the front passenger seat. According to police, a lawful search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two 9mm handguns located underneath the front passenger's seat and in the rear pocket of the driver's seat.

Police said none of the men had valid Firearm Owners Identification cards or Conceal Carry permits. Cazarez-Leon and Cazares reportedly acknowledged possessing the firearms and attempting to conceal them upon being stopped.