Open Corona Bottles May Lead To Car Forfeiture: Complaint

SHOREWOOD, IL — A late September arrest of 24-year-old Chicago resident Brandon Nieto by Shorewood's Police Department may lead to a civil forfeiture of Nieto's 2018 Chrysler 300, according to this week's civil forfeiture complaint.

The State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow has asked Will County's judges to make Nieto's car a forfeited asset for the police. A court hearing is set for Jan. 12.

According to court records, Shorewood police officer Cody Evans was running radar in the 900 block of West Jefferson Street on Sept. 26 when he clocked Nieto's Chrysler 300 traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph speed limit.

At the time of the traffic stop, Evans learned that Nieto had a suspended driver's license from the Illinois Secretary of State's Office for driving under the influence of alcohol. Nieto also had a no-bond warrant issued out of Cook County, the forfeiture noted.

"Brandon Nieto provided his Mexican passport (and) Officer Evans observed the front passenger held an open and partially empty bottle of Corona beer," court documents show.

Minutes later, two Shorewood police sergeants responded to the traffic stop and Evans told Nieto to step outside of his car.

"Officer Evans observed an open bottle of Corona beer located in the driver's side door cup holder," court records show.

Nieto was arrested on charges of driving while suspended for DUI and the Cook County warrant.

Nieto stayed in the Will County Jail on Sept. 26-27. At the time of his release, Cook County had a temporary police hold for his arrest.