Parolee Tries To Hide Gun, Runs From Orland Park Cops In Traffic Stop: Prosecutor

ORLAND PARK, IL -- The passenger of a car stopped for a traffic violation ran away from police after he was spotted stashing a gun under the front seat, prosecutors said. Dominyque Henderson, 23, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. He is also charged with resisting arrest.

Orland Park police pulled a car over for traffic violations in the 15100 block of Ravinia Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4. The prosecutor said officers could see the front seat passenger, later identified as Henderson, leaning all the way forward in the front seat and then all the way back. When the officers approached the car, they ordered Henderson and the driver to step out. The prosecutor said that Henderson took off running from police. Officers caught up to Henderson moments later and took him into custody.

A search of the car revealed a pistol tucked under the front seat, according to police. Henderson allegedly told police that he found the gun in a vacant lot. He said he ran away because he knew he’d be arrested, the prosecutor said.

Henderson is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections, where he had been serving a five-year sentence for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. He also has a conviction for aggravated battery against a police officer in 2013, for which he received a three-year sentence.

The assistant public defender told that judge that Henderson is employed as a cook at Hooters in Oak Lawn. IDOC has a parole hold, the prosecutor said.

Bail was set at $100,000. Henderson is due back in court Oct. 31 in Bridgeview.