Loaded Gun Found in Car Of Joliet Man Not Wearing Seatbelt: Cops

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A Joliet man pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt was arrested after police found a loaded handgun within arm’s reach in his car, prosecutors said. Jesse Czyz, 20, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle and possession of ammunition without a FOID card.

Czyz was pulled over for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt June 20 in the 14200 block of 108th Avenue. As officers approached Czyz’s vehicle, they observed pot residue in plain view as well as an uncased loaded .22 caliber revolver with eight rounds in the chamber, the prosecutor said. Czyz did have a FOID or conceal carry license, according to the cops.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Czyz is enrolled at Joliet Junior College. He said that Czyz carried the gun for protection because he’s been jumped a number of times by the same individual.

“I find anyone carrying a loaded gun without a conceal carry license to be a danger to society,” Felice said.

“He’s the eligible,” the assistant public defender said. “You have to be 21 to get a license and FOID card.”

Bail was set at $25,000, Czyz is do back in court July 19 in Bridgeview.