October 17, 2024
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Road rage incident on I-90 in Hampshire Township results in felony weapons arrests

Vehicle had loaded guns, armor-piercing ammunition, ballistic vest that could stop rifle rounds

By Shaw Local News Network
Steven J. Baxter was charged with 10 felonies related to the unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of weapons or ammunition, unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle and not having a FOID card.

Steven J. Baxter was charged with 10 felonies related to the unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of weapons or ammunition, unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle and not having a FOID card. (Photo provided by the Kane County Sheriff's Office) (Provided)

HAMPSHIRE TOWNSHIP – Two people were charged with felonies following a report of a road rage incident in Hampshire Township in which the suspects were accused of pointing firearms at other motorists, according to a news release from Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain.

Steven J. Baxter, 37, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, was charged with 10 felonies related to the unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of weapons or ammunition, unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle and not having a firearm owner’s identification card, according to court records.

A passenger, Shamekwa N. Starnes, 29, of the 800 block of Easton Parkway, Rockford, was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle without permit to carry, according to the release.

Shamekwa N. Starnes was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle without permit to carry.

Shamekwa N. Starnes was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle without permit to carry. (Photo provided by the Kane County Sheriff's Office) (Provided)

Kane deputies received a regional dispatch of the road rage incident at 1:34 p.m. Tuesday, and several minutes later, a detective saw the suspect vehicle, A Volkswagen Passat with Illinois plates, traveling west on I-90 near Tyrell Road in Hampshire Township, according to the release.

The detective observed that the vehicle was speeding and waited for assistance from the Illinois State Police before conducting the stop due to the high risk possibility. The vehicle was stopped on I-90 near Route 20, also in Hampshire Township.

While speaking with occupants, the detective smelled the strong odor of raw cannabis coming from the vehicle, resulting in a probable cause search. Police recovered a loaded Glock 42 .380 handgun in the glovebox, according to the release.

A further search of the vehicle yielded a Kel-Tec Pistol – which shoots 5.56 rounds – loaded with armor-piercing ammunition, a ballistic vest rated to stop rifle rounds and an additional 50-round drum magazine, according to the release.

Kane County Sheriff’s deputies recovered a loaded Glock 42 .380 handgun, a Kel-Tec Pistol – which shoots 5.56 rounds – loaded with armor-piercing ammunition, a ballistic vest rated to stop rifle rounds and an additional 50-round drum magazine in a gun seizure following a road rage incident. The occupants of a vehicle were accused of aiming firearms at other motorists I-90 near Tyrell Road in Hampshire Township.

Kane County Sheriff’s deputies recovered a loaded Glock 42 .380 handgun, a Kel-Tec Pistol – which shoots 5.56 rounds – loaded with armor-piercing ammunition, a ballistic vest rated to stop rifle rounds and an additional 50-round drum magazine in a gun seizure following a road rage incident. The occupants of a vehicle were accused of aiming firearms at other motorists I-90 near Tyrell Road in Hampshire Township. (Provided)

Hain established this Special Investigations Unit in 2019 in response to the frequent trafficking of firearms and narcotics in and through Kane County, according to the release.

This Unit has seized over 24 firearms involved in criminal activity in the last year.

Fully supporting proactive law enforcement in detecting illegal firearms along with other programs has proven to be an effective way to prevent violence in the community, Hain said in the release.

The Sheriff’s Office also does training in public active shooter situations, knowing warning signs of those who may commit acts of violence and provides continuous mental health support through its social worker program, Hain said in the release.

Baxter is being held in the Kane County jail on $500,000 bond, records show, with June 24 as his next court date.

Starnes was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court July 22, records show.

The most serious charges that Baxter faces are two Class X felonies, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a weapon, punishable by six to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Hampshire