Elgin Police Department collaborates with Kane County Sheriff’s Office for illegal firearms arrests and seizures in light of shootings
ELGIN — Due to the recent shooting incidents within Elgin and West Dundee, the Elgin Police Department sought to form a collaboration with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) in an attempt to provide proactive patrols and show an increased presence within the community.
Over the last two weeks, multiple arrests have been made during the joint patrol efforts. Two of those arrests included illegal firearm seizures made this past weekend.
On Saturday, April 23 at approximately 7:15 p.m., sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Fleetwood Avenue and McClean Boulevard in Elgin.
The deputies found probable cause to search the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of a loaded Glock P80 handgun.
One of the occupants of the vehicle, 30-year-old Romont E. Bowman of the 1800 block of McKool Avenue in Streamwood, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card.
The other vehicle occupant, 30-year-old Avisha Easterling of the 1900 block of East 66th Street in Chicago, was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to the KCSO.
The following day on Sunday, April 24 at approximately 12:55 a.m., sheriff’s deputies stopped another vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1200 block of St. Charles Street in Elgin. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle during the stop.
The search unveiled a stolen Smith and Wesson M&P Shield M2.0 handgun loaded with a 30-round magazine.
While the two occupants of that vehicle were arrested, their identities were not released by the sheriff’s office due to the investigation being ongoing and under review for approval for felony charges by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“Over the last three years, we have developed re-entry programs for those leaving the Kane County jail and provide publicly available vocational training and job placement to ensure people have the resources they need to prevent involvement in criminal activity,” said KCSO Sheriff Ron Hain. “We have also focused on training and equipping our deputies with all of the skills and tools needed to proactively seek out those involved in crime and bring them to justice. This initiative with the Elgin Police Department is an excellent example of our cohesive relationship between law enforcement agencies in Kane.”
Both Bowman and Easterling are currently incarcerated at the Kane County Adult Justice Center in St. Charles.
“The Elgin Police Department has an exceptional working relationship with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and through this relationship, collaborative efforts take place,” said Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley. “These collaborative efforts help to keep Elgin a safe community. I appreciate the dedicated efforts of both the Elgin Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies who continually work to bring swift resolutions to criminal activity and are committed to ensuring safe communities.”
Bowman is being held on a $100,000 bail, with his next court hearing scheduled to take place on April 27 in courtroom 319.
Easterling is being held on a $15,000 bail and also has a court hearing on April 27 in courtroom 319.
“I applaud the efforts of the Elgin Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies who continue to work together to prevent violent crime,” said Hain.
