Joliet Man With Gun In Car Runs From Police: Cops

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police arrested a 34-year-old Joliet man who they claim ran from a car after officers found a gun underneath his seat during an early morning traffic stop on Sunday, police said.

After Demetrius Smith ran from the officers, he was captured and brought to the Will County Jail where he's been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon, having no Firearm Owners ID, illegal possession of ammunition and obstructing a peace officer.

The incident that led to Smith's arrest happened around 3:15 a.m.

Joliet's patrol officers pulled over a car for a traffic violation on the city's southeast side at South Ottawa Street and Fifth Avenue. Smith was a passenger in the car, police said.

"While speaking to the occupants, officers detected an odor of burnt cannabis coming from the vehicle," police reports state. "Upon search of the vehicle, officers recovered a handgun underneath the seat where Smith was sitting in the vehicle."

Police did not list any drug charges for Smith, and it's unclear if they found the drugs they claimed to smell.

Police said that while Smith was standing outside the car, he tried to run away.

"Officers quickly caught up to Smith near Ottawa Street and Munroe Street and placed him into custody without further incident," Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English announced.

Will County Jail logs show that Smith lives in the 200 block of South Ottawa Street. He was released from the jail late Sunday night after posting 10 percent of his $50,000 bail, jail records indicate.