Drunken Driver Passes Out With Pistol Under Seat, Flees When Awakened By Evanston Cops: PD

EVANSTON, IL — A judge ordered an Evanston man jailed after police found him passed out drunk behind the wheel of a car with a loaded gun under its seat early Sunday morning, authorities said.

Julius Middleton, 34, of the 1700 block of Madison Street, faces charges of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle, possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card, resisting a police officer and driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police.

Officers were called to the intersection of Dodge Avenue and Monroe Street around 6:40 a.m. for reports of a man asleep in a silver Toyota Avalon.

When they were unable to wake Middleton up, the officers opened his car door and noticed indications that he was drunk, police said.

Police said a .45-caliber Glock 41 handgun was in plain view on the floorboard beneath the driver’s seat.

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As officers directed Middleton to step out of the car, he allegedly fled on foot but was captured after a brief chase, leading to the misdemeanor resisting charge.

Middleton, a convicted felon who has no FOID card or concealed carry license, was taken to the station for further investigation, according to police.

Prosecutors with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, which has recently adjusted its detention policies, later approved the pair of felony firearm charges.

Middleton was ordered held in custody and is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 30 at the Skokie Courthouse.