Oak Lawn Cop Finds Stolen Gun in Cannabis-Reeking Car: Police

OAK LAWN, IL Four men in a vehicle said to be reeking of cannabis were arrested on various gun and possession charges, as well as multiple traffic violations, Oak Lawn police said in a news release.

The incident unfolded around 7:56 p.m. on March 17, when an alert Oak Lawn police officer observed a vehicle committing “numerous traffic violations” in the 4400 block of 95th Street, according to police.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the five people inside the car. While talking to the driver, the officer said he detected an odor of cannabis wafting from the vehicle. The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Marquis Dean, allegedly admitted to having pot inside the car.

Dean also did not have driver’s license and no insurance on the vehicle. Further inspection revealed a stolen, loaded .40 caliber handgun found hidden under a mat inside the car, police said.

Two others in the vehicle reportedly had outstanding arrest warrants, and a third man was charged with obstructing justice when he allegedly gave police a fake name. Another occupant in the car was released without being charged.

The others were charged as follows:

• Marquis Dean, 21, of Hazel Crest, was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and misdemeanor charges of possession of ammunition without a FOID, possession of stolen property, traffic violations and a citation for possession of cannabis.

• Reginald Williams, 21, of Hazel Crest, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a traffic offense.

• Kwamaine Tarver, 22, of Richton Park, was also arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a drug offense.

• Anthony Sheko, 20, of Country Club Hills, was charged with misdemeanor obstructing identification by giving a false name to police.

Dean, Williams and Tarver appeared in bond court at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California. Dean’s bail was set at $20,000 for the gun charge.