Leaving car idling in fire lane leads to drug, weapons charges for Palatine man

A Palatine man was ordered held on $30,000 cash bail Thursday on drugs and weapons charges stemming from a July 29 report of a BMW idling in a fire lane.

Police recovered from the car 244.9 grams of marijuana, 18.2 grams of cocaine, 29.1 grams of Psilocin mushrooms, .7 grams of LSD, $330 and a loaded, reportedly stolen pistol, according to Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Dominica Puglise.

The discovery led to multiple felony charges against 20-year-old Ismael Rivera of Palatine, authorities said.

Rivera is charged with multiple counts of armed violence, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, possession of cannabis, possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. If convicted of the most serious charges, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

According to Puglise, police received a call July 29 about a vehicle idling in a fire lane outside a business on the 1300 block of North Rand Road in Palatine. Surveillance video showed Rivera entering the business, she said, and another video showed him to be the car's sole occupant.

Police traced the BMW's registration to a Palatine woman.

On Sept. 1, police located Rivera in custody of the Cook County jail, Puglise said.

Rivera must post the entire bail to be released from custody. If released, he will be on electronic monitoring or house arrest. He next appears in court on Oct. 7.