Aurora man charged with unlawful use of weapon, drug possession

Police charged a 21-year-old Aurora man with illegally possessing a gun and marijuana, authorities said Tuesday.

Victor M. Mojica-Vazquez, who lives on the 1100 block of Hinckley Street, was riding in a car that was pulled over by an Aurora police officer for having a loud exhaust at around 11:15 p.m. on Dec. 1 near the intersection of Parker Avenue and Howell Place.

According to a news release issued Tuesday, the officer found a vaporizer pen and cannabis cartridge on Mojica-Vazquez when the officer patted him down. The officer then searched the vehicle and found a .380 handgun behind the vehicle's radio that police said they were able to tie to Mojica-Vazquez, authorities said.

Mojica-Vazquez was charged with a felony for unlawful use of a weapon and was also cited for possession of the marijuana and vaporizer pen. The driver of the car was issued a ticket for having a loud exhaust.