Two men were charged in connection with illicit gun trafficking in the northern suburbs.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, one of the suspects had several open warrants and was allegedly preparing a bank robbery.
Najzierian K. Meyers of North Chicago was charged with gun running, four counts of unlawful sale of a handgun, aggravated flight and eluding, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, resisting a peace officer, and eight outstanding warrants.
Blake Everett was charged with illegally purchasing a firearm.
Meyers, 25, was first investigated by sheriff’s detectives in August for alleged involvement in gunrunning, according to authorities.
Meyers purportedly sold four firearms to undercover police officers. During the investigation, investigators discovered he had many outstanding arrest warrants and was allegedly preparing a bank heist.
Meyers also reportedly enlisted Everett, 26, of Gurnee, to unlawfully purchase a gun on his behalf, according to police.
On Monday, Everett allegedly met Meyers to hand over the gun. Everett was taken into custody without incident.
At the same time, a sheriff’s SWAT squad arrived at the location to apprehend Myers, who was in a car in a parking lot on the 6100 block of Grand Avenue in Gurnee. When cops approached, Myers attempted to flee by ramming a marked sheriff’s squad car with a deputy inside, officials said. He was unsuccessful and struck an adjacent parked car before fleeing on foot.
Officers chased and tackled Myers. He first resisted arrest but was eventually apprehended, authorities said. Meyers suffered a medical issue and lost consciousness during his arrest. Deputies performed first aid until paramedics came and transported him to a nearby hospital, where his condition was stabilized. He is still in detention.
Investigators also discovered a stolen firearm under a car along Meyers’ attempted escape route, approximately 12 ecstasy tablets packaged for sale, and a digital scale inside his car.
“Straw purchasing puts firearms in criminals’ hands and contributes to violence in our communities,” said Christopher Amon, special agent in charge of the ATF’s Chicago Field Division, in a statement.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) worked with the ATF and the Gurnee Police Department to undertake the investigation.
Everette will remain in jail until a detention hearing on Wednesday.
Meyers will appear after being released from the hospital.
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