35 Bags Of Crack Found Along Path Of Fleeing Felon: Cops

EVANSTON, IL — A driver who ran from a traffic stop Wednesday evening in Evanston was arrested and charged with gun and drug offenses, police said. Officers on gun violence suppression patrol pulled over a dark blue Volkswagon around 6:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Howard Street due to its illegally tinted windows, according to police spokesperson Perry Polinski. Three people inside took off running from the car near the Howard Street Red Line station, and the driver was apprehended about a block away on Chicago Avenue.

Mathew B. Korni, 25, of the 5800 block of North Sheridan Road in Chicago, was transported to the station and charged. Police said he has been convicted of a felony and is a documented gang member, and records show Chicago police have arrested him multiple times on charges connected to dealing cocaine.

Korni was charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon and one of possession of up to 15 grams of cocaine with the intent to deliver. He also faces two misdemeanor counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition without a valid identification card. He was also issued a citation for driving without a valid license. He remained held without bond Thursday, according to police.

In a search of the vehicle, police discovered a loaded 9 mm handgun. Polinski said further investigation revealed the gun had been stolen in an August 2017 burglary from a gun store in Valporaiso, Indiana.

Police said they also found 35 baggies containing about 8 grams of suspected crack that Korni tossed as he fled on foot. The substance field tested positive for cocaine, and further lab tests are pending. The two fleeing passengers have not been found, according to police.

Evanston police also noted the department is holding a gun buyback Saturday. Residents of Evanston, Skokie or the North Side who bring unloaded and operational firearms to Christ Temple Church at 1711 Simpson St. between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. will receive $100, with no arrests or questions asked.