Police: Marijuana plants found in car with three Lake in the Hills residents

Three Lake in the Hills residents face felony drug charges after they were pulled over during a routine traffic stop and nine marijuana plants were found in the back seat of their SUV, authorities said.

Shannah Ruehmann, 26, Richard J. Kukielka, 25, and Mark H. Jones, 43, were charged with unlawful production of marijuana plants after the traffic stop at 9:50 p.m. Saturday, Lakewood Police Chief Lawrence Howell said.

If found guilty of the Class 4 felonies, they could spend up to three years behind bars, Howell said.

All three have been released from McHenry County Jail after paying a $5,000 bond. All three are scheduled to appear in court on July 29.

Howell said officers stopped the driver of a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo for failing to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Lakewood and Ackman roads.

During the traffic stop, Howell said, the officer noticed nine marijuana plants in the back of the SUV. He said the plants appeared to be recently removed, and that Miracle Gro fertilizer and a shovel was found with them.

The three told police the plants were discovered growing in the wild and the they were moving them to another town to replant them, Howell said.

"It happens more than people think it would," he said. "About every couple of years, police find a plant in the back of a car and the person is arrested."