Rockford's Independent Newspaper

Police arrest 3 people in weekend incidents

Austen Fowler

Staff Report

ROCKFORD – Officers with the Rockford Police Department responded to incidents that resulted in the arrests of three individuals over the weekend.

Just after midnight Friday, Jan., 31, officers located a blue Pontiac Grand Prix that had been reported as stolen and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. During the attempted stop, the driver, later identified as Lonnie Young Jr., refused to pull over.

Deputies from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department assisted in attempting to stop the suspect vehicle. The car eventually lost control at West State Street and Kilburn Avenue, hit a curb, and became disabled. Young and a juvenile passenger were taken into custody. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle.

Young, 19, of Rockford, is charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. The juvenile is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Young was lodged in the Winnebago County Jail. The juvenile was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center. 

At around 5 p.m., Friday, officers were called to the 1200 block of Crosby Street for shots fired. Officers learned that the 33-year-old victim was in front of his residence when he was approached by two men. One of the suspects pointed a gun at him before the victim fled. The victim heard one gunshot. 

No one was injured. The suspects are described as two black men. 

At around 6 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, patrol offices observed an individual, later identified as 26-year-old Austen Fowler, slumped over the wheel of a vehicle. 

“Officers located a handgun, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit currency and open alcohol containers inside the vehicle,” the police department said in a release. “The handgun had been previously reported as stolen, and Fowler was wanted on two warrants out of Texas”

Fowler, of Rockford, is aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, violation of the Controlled Substance Act, DUI, driving on a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper lane usage and no FOID.

Anyone with information about any these cases should contact Rockford Police at 815-966-2900 or leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.

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