Not guilty plea in Great America gun case

A Hammond, Ind., man who police say tried to enter Six Flags Great America with a loaded gun pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Arthur Olvera, 21, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz said Olvera and a female companion were in line to enter the park about 9:21 a.m. on May 8.

The woman passed through the metal detector at the entrance, Fisz said, but park security was called when Olvera refused to walk through the machine.

As the security officers questioned Olvera, he and the woman turned and ran for the parking lot, Fisz said.

The park security officers contacted a Gurnee police officer who was patrolling the parking lot, Fisz said, and that officer stopped Olvera and the woman just after they jumped into a pickup truck.

The officer found a .40 cal. pistol under the seat Olvera was in, Fisz said, and Olvera admitted the weapon was in his pants as the couple approached the front gate.

Circuit Judge Fred Foreman told Olvera, who posted $1,000 cash for bond, to appear in court July 25.