Uncased Guns Found In Ice Cooler During Traffic Stop: Police

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A Lockport woman was arrested after police found two uncased guns in her vehicle when she was stopped apparently for driving on a suspended license. Violeta Salinas, 50, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon. She told police she was unaware that her license had been suspended, reports said.

Orland Park police pulled Salinas over near 143rd Street and Wolf Road after they ran her plate and discovered that her license was suspended, police said. Salinas allegedly told police she had a variety of unpaid tickets from Chicago, but did not know her license was suspended. She was taken into custody.

The officer asked Salinas if there was anything she needed from her car. Salinas replied that there were two bags of personal property on the passenger floor. The officer also saw a cooler next to the bags. When he opened the cooler, police said the officer found two uncased and unloaded handguns, along with some ammo. Salinas was also found not to have a FOID or conceal-carry permit, reports said.

Salinas denied knowing there were guns in the car or who they belonged to. She was also issued a citation for driving on a suspended license. She is due back in court Aug. 30 in Bridgeview.