Convicted Felon Arrested With Loaded Gun: Orland Park Police

ORLAND PARK, IL — A 28-year-old Chicago man was arrested Wednesday after police said they found a loaded gun in his bag while he was attempting to flee, Orland Park officials said Thursday.

According to police, Orland Park officers were watching a "suspicious vehicle" outside Orland Square Mall Wednesday when another car pulled into the same lot and parked near the vehicle officers were watching.

Authorities said in a written statement the car was "a Jeep, driving extremely fast and revving the engine."

Officers told Patch the driver of the Jeep got out of the car and then turned back to put something back inside his vehicle. When he walked into the mall, police said they looked into the windows of his car and saw marijuana sitting in the front cup holder.

Police said the driver, later identified as Martice Smith, returned to his Jeep an hour later. Police then approached the vehicle and ordered Smith out of the car which is when officials said Smith locked his doors and attempted to start his car, which would not start.

According to a press release, police continued to tell Smith to get out of his car and Smith continued to try and turn over the vehicle's ignition. Eventually, police said they broke the driver's side window and took Smith out of the car.

Smith was previously convicted of aggravated battery to a police officer and two armed robberies, all felonies. Officers said Smith had a loaded weapon inside a bag underneath his jacket at the time of his arrest Wednesday. The man did not have a FOID or concealed carry license.

Smith is now facing charges of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and obstructing a peace officer. He will have to put up $5,000 bond to be released pending trial.