Chicago Man Charged After Police Find Stolen Firearm and Marijuana During Parking Garage Stop
Gary- A Chicago man is facing felony charges after police say they found a stolen firearm and multiple bags of marijuana during an early morning encounter in an abandoned parking garage, according to court documents.
On October 5, 2025, around 3:21 a.m., a Gary police officer was dispatched to the area of 5th Avenue and Broadway in reference to loud music. When the officer arrived, he entered an abandoned parking garage where he began hearing the music coming from the upper levels. As he drove to the top floor, he saw a vehicle with several people standing around it.
When the officer activated his emergency lights, the group quickly got into the vehicle — an orange Mitsubishi Outlander — which briefly attempted to leave before being stopped. The occupants were informed they were trespassing in a closed parking garage.
According to court documents, the officer detected a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle.
During a probable cause search, officers recovered two firearms. One of the firearms — a black and brown Century Arms Micro Draco 7.62 pistol — was found between the legs of passenger Tyrese M. Rencher, 25, partially covered by a backpack. Inside the backpack, officers located seven individually packaged bags containing a green leafy substance with a total weight of 67.8 grams, which field-tested positive for marijuana.
Police later confirmed the Micro Draco firearm was stolen out of Chicago, Illinois. The firearm’s owner told investigators he did not know Rencher and never gave him permission to possess the weapon.
Charges filed October 6,2025:
• Theft — Use When Property Stolen Is a Firearm — Level 5 Felony
• Dealing in Marijuana; Between 30g–10lbs — Level 6 Felony
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
