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Man Allegedly Tosses Drugs, Gun from Car While Fleeing Police


Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– A Park Forest man was charged with two felonies last week when he allegedly attempted to elude an officer trying to initiate a traffic stop.

According to police, Officer Naughton was on patrol at the corner of Indiana Street and Route 30 on October 27 when he observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Route 30 approaching Indiana. The vehicle was clocked on radar at 54 mph in a posted at 40 mph zone, according to police.

As Officer Naughton pursued the vehicle, he observed the the driver throwing items from the car, according to police. The driver, Lorenzo Hill, 39, 410 Douglas St., Park Forest, finally stopped in the Metra Station in Olympia Fields, according to police. Hill was ordered out of his vehicle, arrested, handcuffed, and placed in the squad car.

Olympia Fields Police Officer Kerrigan located one of the items that had been thrown out of the vehicle by Hill, a clear plastic sandwich bag containing seven small, clear Ziploc bags, each containing a white powder substance, suspect cocaine. Olympia Fields Police Officer Metzger located another item, a clear plastic sandwich bag containing six small, clear Ziploc bags, each containing a white powder, suspect cocaine. Detective Busse returned to a cul-de-sac where Hill was observed allegedly throwing another item from the car. Detective Busse located the item, a Makarov 9 mm pistol, with seven rounds in the magazine and one round chambered. The handgun was turned over to Officer Naughton and entered into evidence.

According to police, Hill told them he does not have a license and panicked. According to police, Hill told them he threw the baggies of cocaine out the window and also the handgun. He related that the cocaine is for his personal use and the gun is for protection, according to police. He told police that he is sorry and needs help with his drug use, according to police, providing police with the following statement, “Tonight I was driving down Route 30 and was speeding. I saw a police car pull out to stop me. I don’t have a license and I panicked. I threw some baggies with cocaine out of my car window and a gun that I had for protection. The cocaine was for my own use and the gun was for my own personal protection. I’m sorry I need help with my drug use."

Hill was arrested and charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance and one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. In addition, Hill was also charged with speeding, driving while license revoked, fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer and failing to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle.


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