13245455_1056609867738093_8990375581934189127_n_e1525538931487.jpg — Aurora Police Department

Crime News Suburban Chicago

Man charged after cops find loaded gun during Aurora traffic stop

By Sun-Times Wire

A man is facing weapons charges after a traffic stop nearly two weeks ago in west suburban Aurora.

An officer saw 24-year-old Lee J. Pucel run a stop sign while driving about 12:30 a.m. July 19 near Woodlawn Avenue and Gale Street, according to a statement from Aurora police. When the officer pulled him over, he smelled marijuana inside the vehicle.

Lee J. Pucel | Aurora police

The officer searched the car and found a loaded, .45-caliber handgun on the vehicle’s back seat, police said. Pucel, who lives in Channahon, was arrested and charged with a felony count of unlawful use of a weapon. He was also ticketed for disobeying a stop sign.

A 21-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car was released without being charged, police said.

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