Observant Deputy Credited With Thwarting Murder: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL -- Authorities were able to thwart a possibly violent confrontation, that sheriff's officials believe would likely have resulted in a homicide, after making a traffic stop in Antioch Township early Wednesday and finding three loaded guns, cocaine, masks and 100 Alprazolam pills in the vehicle, according to a Lake County Sheriff's Office news release.

There were three men inside the car. The men were taken into custody and authorities learned the group was on their way to "retaliate against a group of others, stemming from a previous altercation," police said.

“An alert Sheriff’s Deputy successfully stopped a violent confrontation from taking place, which would have likely resulted in a homicide," Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said. "Our personnel work diligently to arrest violent offenders and keep Lake County safe, which is exactly what took place in this situation.”

Authorities stopped the vehicle in the area of Route 173 and Lotus Avenue in Antioch Township at about 2:30 a.m., according to the news release. The driver, Davey J. Shower, 24, of Genoa City, Wisconsin, was driving on a revoked driver’s license, police said.

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While speaking with Shower and two other men in the vehicle, sheriff's office deputies allegedly spotted cocaine in the car. The deputy searched the vehicle and recovered over 15 grams of cocaine, 100 pills of Alprazolam, three loaded firearms, three masks, three heavyweight jackets and a crowbar.

Police then took Shower, and two passengers in the car, Thomas R. Fleckenstein, 27, of Lake Geneva, Wis., and Jacob R. Lapenta, 21, of Genoa City, Wis., into custody, police said.

Fleckenstein, of the 1800 block of Conant Street in Lake Geneva, Wis., has been charged with armed violence, a Class X felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony; two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, Class 1 felonies; and three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, Class 4 felonies. His bond has been set at $100,000 and he is next expected in court on Friday.

Shower, of the W800 block of Eau Claire Road in Genoa City, has been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; obstructing identification, a Class A misdemeanor; and traffic violations. Shower remains in custody on a $10,000 bail and is next expected in court on Oct. 25.

Lapenta, of the N1500 block of Powers Lake Road in Genoa City, Wis., was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon, a Class A misdemeanor. He was released on a recognizance bond pending a return court date of Oct. 22.

PHOTO CAPTION: Top left to right: Thomas R. Fleckenstein and Davey J. Shower. Bottom left to right: Jacob R. Lapenta and a photo of the items found in vehicle after the Lake County Sheriff's Office deputy pulled Shower over early Wednesday. PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff's Office