Pistol, Methamphetamine Found During Retail Theft Call: Cops

PALATINE, IL — A Morton Grove man faces weapons and drug charges after he was allegedly found with a pistol and loaded magazine in a Walmart parking lot while officers were investigating a retail theft at the store over the weekend, according to Palatine police. A search of the vehicle he was also uncovered baggies filled with a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, police said.

Jesterbenson C. Oliva, 36, of the 8500 block of Fernald Avenue, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a felony, as well as a unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors, police said in a statement. He was released on bond, and his next court date is Nov. 16.

A woman who was with Oliva — Tracey L. Alcoser, of the 3800 block of West 156th Street, Markham — was charged with retail theft, a misdemeanor. She, too, was released.

According to police, officers responded to a call just before 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Walmart, 1555 N. Rand Road, concerning a retail theft in progress. Oliva and Alcoser were seen getting into a vehicle in the store parking lot as police arrived.

While talking with the two at the scene, officers noticed items that allegedly had been stolen from the store in plain view inside the vehicle, police said. A loaded pistol magazine also was spotted in the front, passenger-side compartment, and Oliva revealed that a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol was in the glove compartment.

Officers found the pistol, which was unloaded and in the magazine's immediate area, according to police. Although Oliva has a valid firearm owner's ID card, he doesn't have a valid conceal carry license, police said.

A further search of the vehicle uncovered two baggies filled with a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as a black-painted pellet gun. Oliva told police that all the items officers discovered in the vehicle were his, according to authorities.

Jesterbenson C. Oliva (left) and Tracey L. Alcoser (Photos via Palatine Police Department)