Man accused of plowing car into police vehicle charged

A man who allegedly crashed his car into a Chicago police vehicle while trying to get away from officers during curfew enforcement now faces a federal gun charge.

So does a man spotted leaving a store through a broken window early Monday. They’re among a handful of people whose charges for illegally possessing a firearm relate to the looting and violence last weekend in Chicago.

Prosecutors said police approached Johnnie L. Lee, 32, around 10:40 p.m. Sunday after they saw him in the driver’s seat of a car at North Southport and West Belmont. Police said they saw passengers in the vehicle drinking from a brown liquor bottle.

Lee allegedly tried to speed through Belmont and Southport after officers began to approach, crashing into a police vehicle, according to a five-page criminal complaint. Prosecutors say Lee was taken out of the car, and police saw a handgun on the driver’s side floorboard.

Police said Lee admitted the gun was his and said it was for protection. Lee has multiple drug convictions, according to the complaint.

Meanwhile, police allegedly spotted Adam Walton, 40, climb through a broken store window around 12:10 a.m. Monday near West 117th and South Marshfield. He allegedly tried to get into a black Honda CR-V in the parking lot before fleeing on foot.

But Walton came back for the car and, when he did so, told officers he had a weapon in it, according to a criminal complaint. Police saw it in the cup holder. Walton allegedly said, “I know I shouldn’t have a gun. … I’m on parole for a gun.”