Police: Man brought gun to Great America

A 21-year-old man from Hammond, Ind. is behind bars after trying to enter Six Flags Great America with a loaded gun.

Arthur Olvera was standing in line at the park with his girlfriend, and had the loaded weapon tucked inside his pants, at 9:21 a.m. Sunday when he discovered all customers must walk through a metal detector before entering the park, Gurnee Police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said.

Park security officials told police Olvera and his unidentified girlfriend began to panic in line, then refused to go through the metal detector before entering the park.

When security officials began to question him, Olvera fled and ran through the parking lot, Patrick said.

A uniformed Gurnee Police officer was in the parking lot and saw Olvera and his girlfriend jump into a pick up truck, and try to leave through the main entrance, Patrick said.

The officer stopped the vehicle and approached, at which point the woman said there was a loaded gun in the vehicle and that she had a permit to carry it.

“She did have a permit, but she wasn't the one carrying it,” Patrick said. “It was tucked in Olvera's pants, then placed under Olvera's seat when they got in the pick up.”

Olvera was charged with one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, said Patrick, who added the class four felony could put Olvera behind bars for up to three years.

His girlfriend was not charged, Patrick said, which is why her name was withheld.

Olvera was taken to Lake County jail where he is held on $25,000 bond, of which he must post 10 percent, Patrick said.