Gunman Takes Nap At Essington Road Traffic Light: Police

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet convicted felon who fell asleep on Essington Road early Sunday morning is now in the Will County Jail because he had a loaded gun in his lap, according to Joliet police. The arrest of Kevin Underwood Jr. happened at 3:30 a.m. at the traffic light for Fiday and Essington roads.

Underwood was booked into the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and having no Firearm Owners Identification card.

Joliet police say a patrol officer saw someone stopped in the northbound lane of traffic along Essington Road, and the car remained stopped even though the light was green.

"Officers approached and observed that the driver, Underwood, was asleep in the vehicle," police spokesman Dwayne English noted. "As officers attempted to wake Underwood, they observed a handgun on his lap. Officers were able to wake Underwood, and he was placed into custody without incident. Officers recovered the loaded firearm that was located on Underwood’s lap."

Underwood lives in the 500 block of South Joliet Street, jail records reflect.