Joliet Felon Tries Concealing His Stolen Gun In Snow: Police

JOLIET, IL — A 34-year-old Joliet man is now in the Will County Jail after Joliet police say he got out of his car during a traffic stop near a blocked railroad crossing and tried discarding a stolen gun. Joliet police retrieved the weapon and took Jerry Bass Jr. away in handcuffs.

Bass has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen gun and obstructing a peace officer.

The incident leading to Bass' arrest happened around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday.

Joliet police tried to pull over Bass' car near Chicago Street and Patterson Road for a traffic violation, reports state. Bass stopped in the road because of a blocked railroad crossing and got out of his car holding his waistband, police said.

After Bass returned to his car moments later, Joliet police arrested him.

A Joliet police dog was summoned to follow Bass' footprints in the snow, and a gun was found near the footprints, according to police.

Once police searched the 34-year-old's car, officers found ammunition that matched the caliber of the gun put in the snow, reports indicate.

"Bass claimed ownership of the handgun," Joliet police said. "Officers determined the handgun had been previously reported stolen from a different jurisdiction."

Will County Jail logs indicate that Bass was booked into the county detention center around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday. He lives in the 700 block of Patterson Road.

A judge set his bail at $25,000, logs reflect.