Andrew Lee Thompson, 22, of East Chicago, and David Sylvester Thames III, 19, of Hobart, are facing charges following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of multiple firearms, including a weapon equipped with a machine gun conversion device, according to court documents.
According to the probable cause affidavit , on April 1, 2026, at approximately 12:36 p.m., an officer with the Gary Police Department observed a silver Chrysler Sebring near 21st Avenue and Grant Street with a license plate that was “extremely worn and almost completely unreadable.” The officer followed the vehicle and observed the front-seat passenger look back and begin making furtive movements, while the driver adjusted the rearview mirror and also looked back.
The officer initiated a traffic stop near 25th Avenue and Grant Street. As the officer approached, both occupants reportedly appeared extremely nervous and placed their hands in front of them. The driver immediately stated there were firearms inside the vehicle.
Court documents state the officer observed a black handgun next to the passenger between the seat and center console. Both occupants were removed from the vehicle and detained. The driver was identified as Andrew Lee Thompson, while the passenger was identified as David Sylvester Thames III.
During the investigation, records showed Thompson only possessed an Indiana identification card and had never been issued a driver’s license. The affidavit also states Thames was the subject of an active protection order prohibiting him from possessing a firearm.
An inventory search of the vehicle was conducted prior to towing. During the search, Thompson stated his firearm was inside a blue bag on the driver’s side floorboard. Inside the bag, officers located a black AR-style semi-automatic pistol loaded with a magazine and a live round in the chamber.
According to the affidavit, the firearm contained an aftermarket device recognized as a machine gun conversion device capable of converting the weapon into a fully automatic firearm, allowing multiple rounds to be fired with a single pull of the trigger.
Officers also recovered the black handgun located next to the passenger, which contained a loaded extended magazine.
Both suspects are lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed April 2,2026
Andrew Lee Thompson
• Possession of a Machine Gun – Level 5 Felony
• Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License – Misdemeanor
David Sylvester Thames III
• Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun – Misdemeanor
