Littering In Joliet Lands Passenger With Loaded Gun In Jail: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 25-year-old Joliet passenger spent two days in the Will County Jail over the weekend after Joliet police say they found a loaded gun under the front seat where he was previously sitting.

Corey Ross was taken to the Will County Jail early Friday evening on charges of being an armed habitual criminal, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the following events led to Ross' felony arrest on the city's west side:

At 4:18 p.m., officers stopped a Dodge Caliber near Western Avenue and North William Street for a registration violation and littering from the vehicle.

Officers identified the driver as Henry Thornton, 26, of Joliet and the passenger as Ross. Thornton was unable to provide proof of insurance for the vehicle.

Both occupants exited the vehicle so that the vehicle could be towed. While conducting an inventory of the vehicle, officers say they recovered a loaded handgun under the front passenger seat, where Ross had previously been seated.

Ross was placed into custody without incident. Thornton was cited for Littering from Vehicle, No Window Treatment on Windows Adjacent to Driver, Improper Registration, and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Jail records indicate that on New Year's Eve, at 4:17 p.m., Ross walked out of the Will County Jail, regaining his freedom while his criminal case moves forward.