Chicago Heights Man, 22, Arrested On Gun, Drug Charges After Traffic Stop: Sheriff

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A Maserati driver is facing a felony gun charge after Cook County Sheriff’s police recovered a loaded firearm during a traffic stop in Chicago Heights.

At approximately 11:05 p.m. on July 13, Sheriff’s Police Organized Crime Division investigators stopped a black Maserati Ghibli in the 200 block of West 14th Place for failing to use a turn signal. Investigators learned there was suspect cannabis in the vehicle and asked the driver, 22-year-old Benjamin Sanchez to exit the vehicle for a drug investigation.

Investigators recovered suspect cannabis as well as a loaded firearm from the vehicle. Sanchez, of Chicago Heights, did not have a FOID or a concealed carry license and was taken into custody.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with unlawful possession of a weapon on the morning of July 14. He was also charged with misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of cannabis/driver and cited for failing to use a turn signal.

Later that day, Sanchez was ordered to the Chief Judge’s pretrial electronic monitoring program following his first appearance hearing at the Markham Courthouse.