On March 2 at 1:47 a.m. Evanston Police Officers observed a black Chevy Equinox traveling west on Howard Street with several equipment violations. Officers initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot at 2347 Howard St in Chicago, said Commander Brian Henry of the Evanston Police Department.
While officers were contacting the driver of the vehicle, they saw a handgun on the driver’s side floor of the vehicle. As the contact officer was ordering the driver to keep his hands visible, the driver threw the car into reverse, accelerated and struck the marked squad car. After striking the squad car twice, the driver exited the vehicle on foot running a few blocks into Chicago. The man was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. Officers recovered a loaded Taurus handgun from the Chevy, said the Commander.
The driver, a 29 year old Chicago man, was arrested and transported to the station. Officers learned the driver did not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) nor Concealed Carry Licence (CCL). The driver was charged with unlawful use of weapon possession by a felon, criminal damage to property and other offenses.