Pot Smoker Threw Loaded Gun Out Car Window: Cops

JOLIET, IL - A 23-year-old Joliet resident whose car reeked of marijuana faces a slew of criminal charges after Joliet Police say that Rashawn Clayton tried to outrun the police early Wednesday morning on Joliet's east side. While fleeing the police, Clayton also tossed a loaded handgun out of the window of his car, the police said. Clayton was eventually captured and now he's being charged with aggravated unlawful use of a gun, aggravated fleeing and eluding, unlawful possession of ammunition, having no FOID card, obstructing justice and possessing drug paraphernalia, reports state.

Clayton's arrest occurred early Wednesday morning after Joliet Police say "the vehicle disregarded the stop sign at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Gardner Street. The officers activated their squad car's emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle," reports indicate.

When the officers asked him for a valid insurance card, Clayton did not have one, reports show.

"Officers asked Clayton if he had anything illegal on him or inside the vehicle, specifically guns or drugs, as officers could smell the odor of burnt cannabis emitting from the vehicle. Clayton stated that he did not and told officers they could search his vehicle," police said.

Then, as the officers told Clayton to step out of the car, he had a different mindset, reports indicate.

"He put the car in drive and accelerated rapidly away from the traffic stop. Officers pursued the vehicle. During the pursuit officers saw Clayton throw what appeared to be a handgun from the vehicle. Clayton also committed multiple traffic violations during the pursuit," reports show.

Later, Clayton parked the car in the 200 block of Reichman Avenue, which jail logs indicate is where he lives.

Clayton "attempted to flee from the vehicle, but officers were able to stop Clayton from fleeing on foot. Clayton was placed into custody and officers walked to where they saw the object thrown from the vehicle," reports indicate.

Eventually, the Joliet Police officers found a gun and a magazine clip that contained multiple rounds of ammunition inside it, reports state. The defendant was also involved in smoking drugs, the police say.

"Inside the vehicle, officers also located a glass bowl, commonly used to smoke marijuana. The bowl had residue which also smelled of freshly burnt cannabis. Clayton was arrested for the above offenses and issued multiple citations," police said.

Clayton went before a Will County judge and his bail was set at $25,000. After spending more than 24 hours in lockup, the criminal defendant came up with 10 percent to post bond on Thursday, jail records state.

Mugshot of Rashawn Clayton via Will County Sheriff