On Saturday evening at approximately 9:50 p.m., Trooper Carlson stopped a vehicle for speeding on I-65 at the 247 mile-marker. The vehicle's speed was checked at 87 mph on a 70 mph roadway. Upon stopping the vehicle, Trooper Carlson detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the car. Subsequent investigation revealed a .40 Smith & Wesson handgun under the driver's seat. The handgun contained an extended magazine which held 20 rounds of ammunition. The driver, Kendall T. Vaughn, 23, from Park Forest, Illinois was arrested and charged with the following in Lake County:
1) Possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon- Level 4 Felony
2) Possession of a handgun without a permit- Class A Misdemeanor
3) Speeding and Following Too Closely- Infractions
At the time of the traffic stop, there were three juveniles in the vehicle, ages 4, 6 and 17. Those juveniles were later released at the scene to their mother.
*Mugshot of Vaughn at right
Later that same night (November 24) at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center began to receive 911 calls of a road rage incident also on I-65 southbound near the 225 mile-marker in Jasper County. The complaining party reported that another vehicle had stopped in front of their vehicle in the right lane. The front right passenger of the offending vehicle exited and pointed a handgun in the direction of the reporting party. The reporting party reversed away to avoid further confrontation.
The offending vehicle was described as a light Ford Escape. This vehicle was quickly located on I-65 southbound near the 191 mile-marker. The front seat passenger matched the description given by victims. A loaded Glock 19 handgun with two magazines was located inside the vehicle. The offender was identified as Edwin Orozco, 20, from Monticello, Indiana. Trooper Carlson took Mr. Orozco into custody without incident and transported him to the Jasper County Jail. He is charged with Pointing a loaded firearm- Level 6 Felony.
Assisting at the scene were the White County Sheriff's Department and Lafayette District Troopers Wiley and McQueary. Photo of the Glock handgun is below. A mugshot of Orozco may be obtained by contacting the Jasper County Sheriff's Department.
*All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court*
Handgun recovered from Edwin Orozco