Local Police Reports, Park Forest

Matteson Man Facing Multiple Charges After Police Discover Him With “Blank Stare,” Stopped At CN Tracks On Western


guns recovered from May 12 traffic stop on Western Avenue in Park Forest
From the PFPD, “After taking the driver into custody, cocaine, cannabis, prescription drugs, brass knuckles, various knives, ammunition, and two illegally possessed firearms, as well as additional evidence, were recovered.” (Source: PFPD)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A Matteson man stopped on Western Avenue south of the CN railroad tracks just before 4:00 AM found himself facing multiple charges, including two felonies, when police searched his car.

Officers discovered weapons, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.

Lewis C. Reed, 38, 3809 W. 213th St., Matteson, was arrested on May 12 and charged with two counts of felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, improper parking on a roadway, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while BAC (blood alcohol concentration) was above .08 (.110), two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer was dispatched at 3:50 AM on May 12 to the area of Western Avenue and the Canadian National train tracks for a well-being check, being advised that a vehicle was parked in the middle of the street facing northbound at the tracks.

It was later learned that the complainant was a Park Forest Paramedic who was on a service call. On arrival, the officer observed a vehicle parked in the left lane facing northbound just south of the tracks.

The vehicle was running and the rear and front lights were on, according to police. The officer approached the vehicle and observed that the brake lights were activated. The officer made contact with the driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, who was later identified as Louis C. Reed.

The officer observed Reed to have a “blank stare forward,” according to police, and when the officer knocked on the window, Reed rolled down the rear driver side window, but then rolled down the front driver side window, according to police.

The officer began speaking with Reed, and then observed a handgun next to Reed near the gear shifter. The officer pointed his firearm at Reed and ordered Reed to place his hands on the steering will and not to move them.

Read complied, according to police.

The officer requested more units, and other officers arrived. Reed was removed from the vehicle and placed into handcuffs pending further investigation. Prior to removing Reed from the vehicle, an officer detected a strong odor of cannabis emanating from the interior of the vehicle.

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While conducting a search of Reed, an officer detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the man’s breath, according to police. The officer asked him where he was coming from and he stated that he was on his way home from a bar in Indiana. The officer asked him where he was currently and Reed stated that he was in Dyer. He then stated that he was in Schererville for saying Park Forest.

Officers located clear plastic bags in the right pocket of Reed’s pants. According to police, Reed spontaneously stated that the bags previously had cocaine in them. One of the clear plastic bags had a white powdery substance inside, suspect cocaine, according to police. The other bags were empty with a white powdery residue, according to police.

Police conducted a LEADS inquiry of Reed’s driver’s license and learned that his driving privileges were valid. Police also learned that he had a valid Illinois Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID), but did not have a concealed carry license.

Police located the gun near the gear shifter which was later determined to be a Smith and Wesson model 645, .45 caliber. The gun was loaded with one live round in the chamber and seven live rounds in the magazine.

The safety on the firearm was not activated.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located an opened black leather bag on the front passenger seat. Inside the bag, in plain view, according to police, an officer observed multiple plastic cups of green plant material, suspect cannabis. A further search of the bag revealed metal knuckles, a fully loaded Derringer handgun, frontier model, .38 special caliber, a zipper pouch full of pills and numerous knives and gun holsters, according to police.

The officer also located a glass pipe and a “one-hitter” which are both common devices with smoking cannabis, according to police.

In the pouch where the cocaine, and pills were located, police located a cut straw and a razor blade and a small file with a minute amount of a white powdery substance inside, suspect cocaine.

Based on the large amount of illegal items located in the car, the vehicle was towed and impounded, according to police.


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