Orland Park police arrest 2 on gun charges

By Bob Bong

Orland Park police arrested two men last week on gun charges after the smell of cannabis coming from a car in the parking lot at Orland Square Mall alerted officers patrolling the lot.

Police were patrolling the lot at 6:45 p.m. on April 13 when they noticed the strong odor of cannabis coming from a blue vehicle. Officers watched as three men got out of the car and entered the mall.

Officers approached the vehicle where they observed a backpack on the front passenger seat, a bag of cannabis and saw a Glock handgun with an extended magazine on the rear floorboard.

Officers waited at the vehicle for the occupants to return as other officers entered the mall and searched for the three men.

A short time later, one of the men, later identified as Garcell James, returned to the vehicle and sat in the driver’s seat.

As officers approached, James got out holding a black handgun, police said.

James began to run through the mall parking lot while officers pursued him, ignoring repeated orders to drop the gun and stop.

James tripped as officers were closing in on him. When the closest officer jumped on James, James kicked the officer in the face and began to run away again.

James then threw the handgun to the ground and was eventually taken into custody by other officers in pursuit. The loaded handgun was also recovered.

A subsequent investigation revealed that James was a convicted felon on parole for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Officers located the other two men inside the mall and they were detained.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of another handgun along with a Draco Ak-47 inside the backpack with a box of 9mm ammunition.

A second man, now known to be the driver named Deshaun Wesley, was arrested at this time.

The third man was released when police learned he had an active concealed carry permit.

On April 15, James and Wesley were transported to the Bridgeview Courthouse where the Honorable Judge Havis set bail at $100,000D for James and $25,000 for Wesley.

The officer that was kicked by James was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.

James, 28, of Harvey, was charged with aggravated battery (Class 2 Felony) and unlawful use of a weapon (Class 2 Felony).

Wesley, 26, of Dolton, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 Felony).