Felon Charged With Possessing Gun

PALATINE, IL — A convicted felon was arrested for unlawfully possessing a gun after authorities searched a “suspicious vehicle” this past week and found the weapon. Two Palatine police officers were on foot patrol at about 9 p.m. on May 4 when they observed the suspicious vehicle parked in the 1700 block of N. Rose Ave. As the officers approached the vehicle, the backseat passenger leaned forward as if he was attempting to retrieve or hide something at his feet, according to authorities.

When the driver opened the door, the officers noticed a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from inside the vehicle, according to a news release from the Palatine Police Department.

Police searched the backseat and found a loaded Smith and Wesson revolver under the backseat where the passenger was sitting, according to the news release.

The backseat passenger, Artavias D. Dennis, 33, of the 1700 block of N. Rose Ave. in Palatine, admitted to possessing the gun and attempting to hide it when he saw the officers, according to a news release. Police say Dennis did not possess a firearm owners’ identification (FOID) card and is a convicted felon.

Dennis was charged with one felony count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon. His bail has been set at $20,000.