Midlothian Man Arrested With 'Half a Crack Rock' in Car: Prosecutor

CRESTWOOD, IL -- A Midlothian man was arrested after police found half of a crack rock in his car where he was parked in a heavily wooded area with the two other people, prosecutors said.

Jermaine Jackson, 39, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on charges of possession of a controlled substance. According to the charges, Crestwood police noticed a car without headlights parked in the 13900 block of South Springfield Avenue.

When officers walked up to the parked car, they found Jackson in the driver’s seat, and a man and a woman inside the car. Jackson said there was no contraband in the vehicle and granted permission to police to search his car, the prosecutor said.

Officers said they found a plastic pipe, a lighter and a half gram of suspected crack-cocaine in Jackson’s possession. More pipes, syringes and spoon were allegedly found on the seat next to the female passenger, who was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

The judge questioned what gave police probable cause to search a parked vehicle with three people sitting inside, if it wasn’t blocking the street.

The prosecutor said police went to investigate because the car was “parked in a heavily wooded area.”

Jackson allegedly told officers he was trying to have sex with the female passenger. Officers searched the car where they found the suspect contraband and equipment.

The prosecutor said Jackson has two felony convictions for residential arson and possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Felice set bail at $10,000, stating “you’re getting a break today.” When the assistant public defender said Jackson couldn’t afford to put up a $1,000 bond, the judge gave him an I-bond, along with random drug testing.

Jackson’s next hearing is Sept. 27 in Bridgeview.