For the 5th time in as many days, a traffic stop resulted in a handgun being removed from the streets of Lake County. Previously, Troopers Beers and Carlson each confiscated a handgun and Trooper Hamed confiscated two. In the most recent incident this past Tuesday, Trooper Dennis Griffin observed a white 2002 Chevrolet traveling east bound on I-80/94 near the 1 mile-marker. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. Trooper Griffin checked the vehicle’s speed at 93 mph. The posted speed limit is 55 mph. A traffic stop was initiated near the 3 mile-marker. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he observed the driver moving around inside the vehicle. A strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was being emitted by the driver during his interaction with the trooper. The driver, identified as Darrin S. Nelson, 30, from Harvey, Illinois, was then asked to perform field sobriety tests. After completing those tests, Mr. Nelson was offered a certified chemical test for intoxication which he refused.
During the inventory of the vehicle, several items were located including a loaded Canik 9mm handgun under the front driver’s seat. A large quantity of controlled substances was also located in the vehicle. Mr. Nelson was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Lake County Jail. He is currently facing the following charges:
- Dealing Cocaine- Level 3 Felony
- Handgun no Permit by a Felon- Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Cocaine- Level 6 Felony
- Dealing Marijuana- Level 6 Felony (Two Counts)
- O.W.I. (Endangering)- Class A Misdemeanor
- O.W.I.- Class C Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia- Class C Misdemeanor
Assisting at the scene was Waffco Towing and Trooper Partyka.
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
