Cops Find Loaded Gun During Traffic Stop Over Turn Signal: Police

EVANSTON, IL — Police said a licensed Evanston gun owner faces a felony charge after officers who recognized him pulled him over for a failure to signal properly as he turned into Chicago. Officers smelled weed, found a gun and arrested the man, according to Evanston police.

Andre Johnson, 25, of the 2500 block of Darrow Avenue, was arrested shortly after 1:30 a.m. Monday on North Western Avenue in Chicago after Evanston police noticed him fail to signal as he made a left turn off Howard Street, police said.

The officers who pulled over the blue Hyundai Johnson was driving reported smelling cannabis during the stop. When they asked about the smell, Johnson handed over a bag of about 9.5 grams of cannabis, according to police.

Officers continued questioning him, and Johnson explained he had a pistol in the car, which he was licensed to own but not to keep loaded in his car while driving around. Police removed a loaded, .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol from inside the car.

Police placed Johnson under arrest, later confirming he has valid firearm owners identification card but no concealed carry license. A passenger in the car Johnson was driving was released without charges, according to Cmdr. Ryan Glew. Johnson's Hyundai was impounded.

The Cook County state's attorney's office approved a charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for Johnson, who also faces a misdemeanor driving with a suspended license charge, according to police.

Evanston police also issued him citations for failure to signal 100 feet before a turn, no valid insurance and possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis. Glew declined to say if police knew that Johnson had a suspended license before they pulled him over.

Following a bond hearing, a judge ordered Johnson released on electronic monitoring with a $20,000 bond, according to the Cook County sheriff's office. He is due back in court Dec. 17 in Skokie.