They Tried Switching Seats Before Joliet Police Pulled Them Over: Officers Reveal What Evidence They Found

JOLIET, IL — A pair of men who are not from around these parts were arrested during the overnight hours while driving on the city's east side. Joliet police say they recovered a loaded gun stashed under the seat as well as their cocaine.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 12:27 a.m. on Monday, the overnight officers spotted a pickup truck traveling southbound on Maple Street near Benton Street with an equipment violation. As officers prepared to conduct a traffic stop near Maple Street and Cass Street, the vehicle abruptly stopped. The driver and passenger then exited the vehicle and allegedly attempted to switch seating positions, the arrest report noted.

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As officers approached, the person who had been seated in the passenger seat, later identified as Jose Elias, 33, Blue Island, allegedly made movements toward his waistband and attempted to conceal an item, English said.

When officers attempted to detain Elias, he resisted and was taken into custody. During a subsequent search, officers recovered a plastic bag containing suspected cocaine, the police announced.

As for the other occupant, identified as Francisco Santos, 32, of Blue Island, he was also detained. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from underneath the driver's seat, as well as open containers of alcohol, English pointed out.

Officers also determined that Santos had a revoked
Illinois driver's license. Both Santos and Elias were transported to the Joliet Police Department for processing.
Santos was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and felony driving while license revoked. Santos was processed and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.
Elias was charged with possession of a controlled substance and four counts of obstructing/resisting a peace officer. Officers also determined that Elias had an active Will County arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on previous DUI charges. Elias was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility on the outstanding warrant.