Wheeling man held on gun charge

An argument early Thursday in a Mount Prospect parking lot led to the arrest of a Wheeling man on gun charges, prosecutors say.

Erick Hernandez, 23, whom prosecutors describe as a gang member, was ordered held on $100,000 bail Friday on charges of unlawful use of a weapon.

Hernandez and another person got into an argument with other individuals shortly after midnight Thursday on the 800 block of East Rand Road, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Gates said.

A Mount Prospect officer saw Hernandez get in the passenger's side of a car operated by a companion, who cut the headlights and drove to a parking lot nearby, Gates said.

The officer approached the car and noticed Hernandez making "furtive" movements near the floor, Gates said. The officer also noticed the driver had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol, Gates said. He also smelled marijuana, she said.

A search by a canine unit turned up a .32 caliber handgun with seven live rounds in the passenger area floor, she said.

While Hernandez had a valid FOID card, he did not have a concealed carry permit, Gates said. According to Gates, Hernandez's hands tested positive for gunshot residue.

Hernandez was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon earlier this year and was sentenced to conditional discharge, which he subsequently violated. He was then sentenced to 60 days in jail.

Hernandez next appears in court on Dec. 30.