Two Waukegan brothers have been arrested on weapons charges following an investigation that began after a domestic incident and police chase, Waukegan authorities said.
Jordan and Latrell Hill, who both have convictions for weapons felonies, were taken into custody by Waukegan police, authorities said.
According to reports, Latrell Hill was involved in a domestic incident on Feb. 11 in Round that sparked a lengthy police car chase that ended in Waukegan when Hill stopped and then fled on foot.
After the chase, police said they learned of another domestic incident in Waukegan at their residence during which a gun was fired.
Police said they arrested the brothers on Feb. 19. Jordan Hill, 20, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a weapon with no FOID card, and unlawful possession of a weapon with no concealed carry license, reports said.
Latrell Hill was also charged with a weapons violation in addition to reckless discharge of a firearm and being an armed habitual offender, authorities said.
Police said the Illinois Department of Corrections issued parole violation notices for the brothers.
Drug-sale arrest
Waukegan police said they have charged a man for selling drugs from his auto repair business.
Victor Montes De Oca Lopez, 63, is facing drug and weapons charges after police searched Victor’s Auto Repair on Feb. 29, authorities said.
Police said they learned that Lopez was suspected of selling drugs from the shop in the 700 block of Belvidere Road, and they obtained a search warrant.
Lopez was detained on Feb. 19 as he was leaving his house. Police said they seized 31 grams of cocaine and 59 grams of cannabis at the business, along with $11,000 that Lopez had on his person, police said. A handgun was also recovered.
He is already facing charges from a 2023 arrest in which police seized a gun and drugs, police said. That case is still awaiting trial. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the recent investigation, Waukegan police said.
Undercover operation
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it recently arrested a Wadsworth man on drug charges, including allegations that he was selling illegal narcotics near a school.
Brandon S. Miller, 35, of the 13000 block of West 29th Street, was arrested on possession and delivery of methamphetamine charges on Feb. 20, police said.
The sheriff’s Special Investigations Group learned that Miller was selling the drugs and began an undercover operation, reports said. On one occasion, he sold drugs near the playground of an occupied school, police said.
A judge signed an arrest warrant on Feb. 14, and Miller was taken into custody in Salem Lakes, Wisconsin. He was being held in Kenosha County until he can be extradited to Illinois, police said.
“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug that destroys lives and threatens our communities,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “I commend our Special Investigations Group for their diligent work in holding another drug trafficker accountable. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our county, especially near schools and places where children gather.”
Coroner elected chairman
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek was recently elected as chairman of the executive board of the Lake County Opioid Initiative.
The LCOI recently marked its 11th anniversary. The group was formed in 2014 to address addiction deaths and other drug-related issues.
“In Lake County, we have seen a small decline in overdose fatalities from 2023 to 2024; it is one sign that we’re on the right track, but this is no time to take our foot off the gas,” Banek said. “The opioid epidemic continues to ravage our communities, with our Black and Brown communities often bearing the brunt of the heartache.
“I look forward to leading the Lake County Opioid Initiative as we build on our successes to keep our communities safer,” she said.
The other new officers elected were vice chair Michael Karner, Lake County regional superintendent of education; secretary Eric Rinehart, Lake County state’s attorney, and treasurer Dr. Adam Rubenstein.
