Loaded Beretta Found in Retired Firefighter's Car: Prosecutors

A retired Chicago firefighter was arrested on a weapons charge after police found a gun in his car during a traffic stop Tuesday evening, prosecutors said.

Stephen Amelianovich, 60, appeared before Cook County Judge Michael Kane on a felony charge of aggravated unlawful use or possession of a weapon.

Illinois State Police answered a complaint of a possibly intoxicated driver in the southbound lanes of I-294 near Alsip around 10 p.m.

Prosecutors said that Amelianovich failed field sobriety tests. While searching his car, state police found a loaded Beretta under the front driver’s seat.

Another loaded magazine was also found in the truck, according to the charges.

Amelianovich’s attorney told the judge that his client was retired after 20 years in the Chicago Fire Department.

Bail was set at $5,000. Amelianovich is due back in court on December 3.