Defective Headlight Leads To Gun And Drug Charges

PALOS HEGIHTS, IL -- A Burbank man was arrested after police found a gun in his car during a traffic stop, prosecutors said. Jose Aranda, 22, appeared before Cook County Judge Terry Gallagher on felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis.

Around 9:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Palos Heights police pulled over a car for a defective headlight. The prosecutor said the driver, later identified as Aranda, got out and moved the back of the car. When officers approached the car, the prosecutor said they could detect the odor of burnt cannabis.

Police said Aranda admitted that he had smoked marijuana before getting behind the wheel. Officers searched the vehicle and found a Springfield XD .40 caliber gun between the driver’s seat and front seat arm rest, the prosecutor said. Police found 108 grams of marijuana on the driver’s seat, and 5 grams of cocaine in the armrest according to reports. The prosecutor said Aranda did not have a FOID or conceal carry permit.

Aranda was released on a $10,000 I-Bond, along with electronic monitoring. Aranda’s next court date is Feb. 27 in Bridgeview.