So, pulling into a church parking lot at 1:00 a.m. is probable cause for the police to pull you over?

It's always good news when the police can make an arrest of a felon who is in possession of a firearm and ammunition. However, if the news story below is accurate, the police didn't have any grounds for arresting this particular felon (i.e., probable cause). Don't get mad at the judge with this person is right back out on the street.

 

 

Night out on birthday ends with morning in jail

Jachion A. Johnson, 23, of 1725 N. Broadway St. was arrested at 1:01 a.m. Thursday and booked on charges of possession of drug equipment, possession of marijuana, escape, obstructing police, possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of ammunition and criminal damage to property.

Johnson was seen exiting a vehicle in the parking lot of Laramie Street Baptist Church, 1611 S. Laramie St. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Department deputy approached Johnson and asked if he had anything illegal. Johnson reached for his left-front pocket, and the deputy put him in handcuffs.

A short time later, Johnson freed himself from the handcuffs and ran into the backyard of a house in the 3000 block of Fremont Street.

A deputy cornered Johnson as he tried to climb a fence. Johnson began to fight with the officer and was Tasered twice before being put into custody. Police found a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition in the trunk of the vehicle Johnson was driving.

He told police he ran because he didn’t want to go to jail on his birthday, which was Wednesday.