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Evanston Police Arrest Chicago Man Following Narcotics and Firearms Investigation

EVANSTON, IL – A Chicago man has been charged with 14 felony offenses following a narcotics investigation conducted by the Evanston Police Department's Special Operations Group (SOG).

During the investigation, SOG developed information that Ernest W. Pentek, 48, of Chicago, was allegedly distributing narcotics in the Evanston and Chicago areas. Investigators also received information indicating that Pentek possessed multiple firearms and potentially dangerous incendiary devices.

Through various investigative techniques, officers gathered additional evidence and obtained a search warrant for Pentek's residence in the 6900 block of North Ashland Avenue in Chicago.

On October 30, 2026, at approximately 2:05 p.m., members of SOG, assisted by the Evanston Police Department's Special Response Team (SRT) and the Cook County Sheriff's Police Bomb Squad, executed the search warrant. Pentek was taken into custody without incident.

During the search, officers recovered four firearms, an airsoft rifle, more than 500 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 7.1 grams of suspected heroin, 11 grams of suspected Xanax, 4 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 39 suspected MDMA pills, and approximately 2.6 pounds of suspected cannabis. Officers also recovered a substance believed to be Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), $1,185 in U.S. currency, ballistic protective equipment, and several suspected homemade incendiary devices.

The Evanston Police Department acknowledges the assistance of the Cook County Sheriff's Police Bomb Squad and the Chicago Police Department in supporting the safe execution of this operation.

Offender

• Ernest W. Pentek, a 48-year-old male

• 6900 block of North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Following review with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Pentek was charged with 14 felony offenses.

Charges

• Four Class 3 felony counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

• One Class 3 felony count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon involving a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches

• One Class X felony count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver

• One Class X felony count of Possession of Methamphetamine

• Four Class 4 felony counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

• One Class 2 felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver

• One Class 2 felony count of Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver

• One Class 3 felony count of Possession of Cannabis

Court Information

• Pentek is scheduled for an initial court appearance on October 31, 2026, at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building, 2600 S. California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

-END-

Media Relations: Commander Ken Carter
kcarter@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-866-5026