Crime & Safety
Seat Belt Violation Turns Into Firearm Arrest: Joliet Police
Police say what began as a traffic stop for a seat belt violation turned into a firearm and drug bust after police smelled burnt pot.
JOLIET, IL — A simple seat belt violation led to a firearm arrest Monday, according to the Joliet Police Department. Brian Rivera, 19, is now facing weapons charges after being pulled over.
A Facebook post by the department says Rivera, of Joliet, was pulled over around 9:25 p.m. Monday because multiple people in the car weren't wearing seat belts.
Police first tried to pull the car over near Collins Street and Jackson Street, but the car was slowly driven to the 300 block of Youngs Avenue where it stopped.
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Police say they smelled a "strong odor of burnt cannabis" coming from the car. They searched the car and found a "green leafy substance" that tested positive for cannabis alongside a digital scale.
The officers also found a loaded firearm, the post says. Because of his access to the gun, he was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of ammunition, and no FOID.
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Armondo Lopez Jr., 18, of Joliet, was arrested on possession of cannabis and drug equipment charges. He was released on bond.
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