Police: Des Plaines man had two guns in his waistband

A Des Plaines man is facing felony weapons charges after Palatine police said an officer found him carrying two handguns illegally in his waistband during a traffic stop early Sunday morning.

Police Cmdr. Craig Lesselyoung said the patrol officer initially pulled over the Jeep Cherokee that Xavier Virto, 21, was a passenger in for speeding just after 1 a.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of West Northwest Highway.

During the traffic stop, police said, the officer saw that there were six people crammed into the vehicle's back seat, none of whom were wearing seat belts. Lesselyoung said the officer asked the passengers to exit the vehicle to identify them and, as a safety precaution, conducted a weapons pat down on each occupant.

Virto had both of the 9-millimeter handguns, one loaded and one unloaded, tucked into his waistband and a 30-round magazine of ammunition was in one of his pockets, according to police.

He is charged with two counts of felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. A judge set his bail at $50,000 Monday. He remains in custody at the Cook County jail and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 13.