Loaded Gun, Cocaine Found At BP Amoco, 1 Arrested: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police announced that 37-year-old Joliet resident Michael Bass was arrested Tuesday night in connection with gun and cocaine charges, but police emphasized the crime at the BP Amoco station at McDonough and South Chicago was not a shooting.

"Officers found no evidence of a shooting at this time," Sgt. Dwayne English informed Joliet Patch late Wednesday morning.

Joliet police said that Bass is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of ammunition, obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest.

Several Joliet police cars converged on the BP Amoco around 7:15 p.m. after receiving a phone call of gunshots fired involving a gray SUV, police reports indicate.

"Officers observed an unoccupied silver SUV parked at gas pump," police said. "Officers looked in the windows of this vehicle and observed what appeared be a handgun in plain view in between the front seats. A short time later, a male subject later identified as Bass, exited the gas station, and began approaching the vehicle."

When Joliet police tried to question Bass, he took off running, police said.

"Officers gave chase and located Bass crouched near a residence in the 400 block of South Ottawa Street," Sgt. English stated. "Officers placed Bass into custody following a brief struggle. Officers searched the vehicle, recovering a loaded handgun and multiple clear bags of a white powder that later tested positive for cocaine."

Bass was briefly taken to the AMITA Health St Joseph Medical Center by a Joliet Fire Department ambulance after he suffered a minor injury while being combative with police, reports show.

Bass lives in the 700 block of Joliet's Chase Avenue. He was booked into the Will County Jail shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, jail records show.