Authorities: Felon was driving drunk with handgun

A judge has denied pretrial release for a felon accused of driving drunk and possessing a semiautomatic handgun.

Antwaion Edwards, 27, of the 200 block of Hale Street in Wheaton, appeared in DuPage County’s first-appearance court on Sunday.

He is charged with one count of armed habitual criminal, one count of unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon, one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and resisting a peace officer, driving under the influence of alcohol and transportation of open alcohol by a driver.

He is on probation for a 2022 theft in DuPage County, according to a news release from the state’s attorney’s office.

Elmhurst police responded to assist a motorist at 5:04 a.m. July 20 for a Dodge Ram 1500 parked on North Avenue. They say they found Edwards asleep in the vehicle. When he awoke, he tried to drive away and crashed into a police vehicle, authorities said. He ran off, according to the release.

When they searched the Dodge, officers found a loaded Glock 26 semiautomatic pistol with 16 rounds and one bullet in the chamber in the center console of the vehicle, according to the news release.

Edwards’ next court date is Aug. 19.