14 Guns, Drugs Seized From Lockport Homes As Man Faces Charges

LOCKPORT, IL — After several months of investigation, a Lockport man has been arrested after police say they seized more than 15,000 grams of meth/cocaine and 14 firearms, including one which was reported stolen, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said deputies, as well as members of the Frankfort Police Department and federal agents, met on March 19 to execute several search warrants. According to police, included in those warrants were two residences, one on Rosanne Lane in Lockport and the other on Basil Court in Lockport, affiliated with Denzel Hawthorne, 28.

While surveilling Rosanne Lane, deputies saw Hawthorne leaving the apartment complex, the sheriff's office said. They announced themselves, and after a brief foot pursuit, Hawthorne was taken to the ground, according to police.

Authorities say Hawthorne resisted deputies and repeatedly reached towards his waist, but after a struggle, he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

According to the sheriff's office, a body search revealed two baggies containing crack cocaine, three baggies of heroin, a large amount of United States currency and two cell phones. He refused to speak with deputies, the sheriff's office said.

Police simultaneously executed the search warrants for the apartment on Rosanne and the residence on Basil Court.

At the Rosanne Lane address, deputies saw someone inside the apartment. The sheriff's office said that after announcing themselves and knocking several times with no response, deputies breached the apartment door and located the individual inside the bedroom. This person was questioned and released without charges.

In this apartment, police say they found a digital scale, cash, cocaine, methamphetamine and numerous other pills and substances believed to be illegal narcotics. A 2020 Infinity SUV was also seized, the sheriff's office said.

Police also breached the front door of the Basil Court residence with a ram. No one was found to be in the home, but police say many items were located and seized for evidence, including: more than 15,000 grams of meth/cocaine; heroin; 14 firearms including three AR-15s - one listed as stolen; various calibers of ammunition; numerous firearm magazines - several with high capacity; multiple identification cards for Hawthorne, and a large amount of U.S. currency, the sheriff's office said.

Hawthorne was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility where he was held on charges of possession with intent to deliver over 900 grams of cocaine; possession with intent to deliver over 100 grams of heroin; possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; illegal possession of a firearm/revoked FOID card; and resisting a police officer.

This investigation remains active and ongoing, police said.