Dark Windows Give Probable Cause To Search Car Where Stolen Glock Is Found: Police

OAK LAWN, IL — Illegally tinted car windows led to the discovery of a loaded Glock and weed during a traffic stop, Oak Lawn police reports said. Stephen A. Dyer, 44, of Chicago, is facing charges of possession of adult use cannabis and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Around 7 p.m. July 29, an Oak Lawn police officer on patrol drove up next to a Chevy Malibu with dark tinted windows, too dark to allow the legal minimum 35 percent of light to pass through. It was daylight, but the officer said he was unable to see through the driver’s side window.

While driving behind the Chevy Malibu northbound on Cicero, the officer said he noticed the car’s left turn signal to enter a parking lot. As the officer continued on, he said the Chevy Malibu turned off its left turn signal and moved back to the northbound lane.

The officer curbed the car in the 9200 block of South Cicero. While the driver, identified later as Dryer, was looking for his driver's license and proof of insurance, the officer said he noticed a bulge on the righthand side of Dyer’s pants.

Asked if he had any firearms or drugs in the car, the officer said Dyer showed him a bag of weed. Despite the vehicle being cool inside, Dyer was sweating profusely, the report said.

Dyer’s driver’s license was run through LEADS, which reportedly indicated that Dyer’s driver’s license had been suspended and a prior arrest in 2023 for possession of a firearm by a felon.

The officer returned with a tint meter, that indicated only 3 percent of light was able to pass through the driver’s side window. While writing up a tint ticket, another Oak Lawn police officer arrived, who was told about the alleged bulge in Dyer’s pants and that Dyer appeared nervous.

Police said Dyer gave permission to search his vehicle and for a pat down, but the bulge was gone. A loaded Glock was allegedly found under the void of the center console, which was later discovered to be stolen, the report said.

Dyer allegedly told police that he was a barber and used the car to get to clients homes. He denied owning the Glock, police said.

Oak Lawn police called law enforcement in Gary, Ind., who stated the that gun had been reported stolen in 2023. Police spoke to the gun owner, who said it had been stolen out from her kitchen drawer during a break-in.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges against Dyer. Police said that while in the Oak Lawn lockup, Dyer consented to a mouth swab.