Man Charged After Converting Pistol Into 'Machine Gun': Orland PD

ORLAND PARK, IL — A 25-year-old Riverdale man was charged with the unlawful use of a weapon after police said he was found with a handgun that had been converted into a fully automatic "machine gun" back in August.

According to Orland Park police, Dionte Wilson was taken into custody Tuesday after the Illinois State Police Crime Lab confirmed a weapon that had been seized by Orland Park officers on Aug. 21 was fully automatic. Wilson was taken to the Bridgeview Courthouse, where he was issued a $10,000 bond, according to police.

In August, police said Orland Park officers conducted a traffic stop that later turned into a foot chase on the 8800 block of 151st Street. According to police, officers smelled an odor of cannabis coming from the inside the car. Police said Wilson and the car's driver, Dawan Ford, admitted to smoking in the vehicle.

Wilson, a Firearm Owners Identification and Concealed Carry License cardholder, admitted to having a firearm on him, police said.

Officers asked Wilson and Ford to step out of the vehicle, but police said they instead fled the area southbound on Orlan Brook Dr. from 151st. The car ended up crashing into a tree several blocks later, according to police.

Still attempting to get away, police said Wilson and Ford abandoned the car and fled on foot before officers could arrive at the scene of the crash.

Not long after, officers found Wilson and took him into custody. They recovered a gun from his waistband, police said.

Before the crash, a witness told police they saw Wilson throw a different gun out of the car's passenger window, according to police. Officers later recovered that gun, which was fully loaded and equipped with an aftermarket selector switch, which enables fully automatic fire, police said.

Wilson was charged with misdemeanor violations of the concealed carry act and obstructing a peace officer. Felony unlawful use of a weapon charges were initially put on hold until the firearm with the selector switch could be tested, according to police.

Ford was taken into custody later that evening, and a search of the crashed vehicle turned up 11 grams of cannabis, according to police. Ford was charged with misdemeanor fleeing and eluding and obstructing a peace officer after felony fleeing and eluding charges were denied, according to police.

Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.