Traffic Stop Leads To Aggravated UUW Arrest

City of Evanston, Illinois sent this bulletin at 08/07/2020 03:15 PM CDT

Friday, August 7, 2020 | View in browser

Traffic Stop Leads to Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon Arrest

EVANSTON, IL - On August 2, 2020 at 3:47 p.m. Evanston Police Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Dempster and McCormick. The officers were conducting violence reduction patrols in the area of Greenwood and Hartrey, when they observed a silver Acura SUV disregard three stop signs while traveling west on Greenwood at a high rate of speed. The officers initiated the traffic stop at Dempster and McCormick.

Prior to contacting the driver, officers noticed the front passenger making movements consistent with manipulating an object near his feet. The officers suspected the passenger was hiding either a weapon or contraband. Officers made contact with the occupants of the Acura, giving them clear, loud verbal commands to stop reaching toward the floor board, and to show their hands, the occupants complied. During a cursory search of the passenger floor board, officers noticed the frame of a handgun protruding from underneath the seat. The passenger, later identified as Zachary Hergott, was immediately ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody. Officers recovered a Glock .40 caliber handgun from underneath the passenger seat. The weapon had a loaded extended magazine, but did not have a round chambered.

Hergott was arrested and transported to the station. Officers learned Hergott does not have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID) nor Concealed Carry Licence (CCL). Hergott was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapon, as well as other drug charges.

Offender

Hergott, Zachary L. male 24 years of age

1100 block of Dobson, Evanston, IL.

Charges

1 traffic citation for no seat belt

1 misdemeanor count of possession of Ammunition without FOID card

1 misdemeanor count of possession of Firearm without FOID card

1 misdemeanor count of possession of Cannabis

1 felony count of unlawful possession of Controlled Substance

1 felony count of Aggravated UUW

Court and Bond Information

Hergott is currently out on Electronic Monitoring after posting bond. His next court date is August 20, 2020 at the Skokie Courthouse.