Crime & Safety

Police Still Investigating Gun Shop Burglaries

Although one of 15 guns stolen from a New Lenox shop was recovered last weekend, police aren't sure whether the men in possession of the gun were the ones who committed the burglaries.

Although one of 15 guns stolen from a New Lenox shop was recovered last weekend, police aren't sure whether the men in possession of the gun were the ones who committed the burglaries.

"I can't say whether they were involved," Pawlisz said. "We're still investigating the burglary."

Over the weekend, after it was tossed out a window during a car chase on Interstate 55. It turned out that the gun was one in New Lenox last month, something that has the village talking about new safety measures.

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Shorewood police used the license plate number to track down the two men in the car, and other departments assisted in a raid on Friday, including , the Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

David Magana, 21, of Joliet, was charged with fleeing police, and his passenger, Eduardo Almazan, 19, also of Joliet, was picked up on a warrant for possession of drug equipment.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police weren't available to confirm over the weekend whether there would be charges for possession of a stolen firearm, but deputy chief Bob Pawlisz of the New Lenox Police Department said that will be the case.

Downrange Sports was burglarized twice in December, with at least 10 guns stolen the first time and . Police responded quickly to an alarm system, but the village wants to explore new restrictions for gun shops in town that would bolster the safety.

Mayor Tim Baldermann said the issue will be discussed in the public safety committee.

"We're looking at something stricter and tighter for future gun shops," Baldermann said. "Something that would stipulate how the guns are stored at night, the types of alarms, building adjustments."

If you have any information about the burglaries, call the New Lenox Police Department's investigations unit at 815-462-6100.


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