EVANSVILLE: Three arrested After Vehicle Stop Leads to the Recovery of Stolen Handgun

On July 5th at approximately 10:23p uniform officers were on patrol in the area of S. Kentucky Avenue north of Washington Avenue. They observed a vehicle with Florida license plates turn north onto S. Kentucky Avenue without activating it`s turn signal. They also noticed the vehicle was in operation without its headlights activated even though the sun had set over two hours ago and the street lights were already illuminated.

The officers initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver who was identified as Jerome Wilkins. The officers advised Wilkins of the reason for the stop and asked to see his license, registration, and proof of insurance. At initial contact, Wilkins did not immediately provide any identification and appeared nervous while searching for the requested documents. The front seat passenger was identified as Wayne Williams and the passenger sitting in the back seat was identified as Aisha Cook.

Wilkins reached into the glove box and one of the officers immediately recognized a semi-automatic handgun near where his hand was. At this point all the occupants of the vehicle were ordered out.

The Crime Scene Unit was notified and responded to process the scene. A stolen check found that the .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun located in the glove box had been reported stolen in Evansville. The weapon had a total of six rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.

Wilkins was charged with Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Handgun without a License, Resisting Law Enforcement, Operating with no Headlights and Failure to Signal a Turn.

Williams was charged with Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Handgun without a License.

Cook was arrested for three misdemeanor failure to appear warrants.

All three were transported to and booked into the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center.

BOTH WILLIAMS AND WILKINS ARE SERIOUS VIOLENT FELONS AND HAVE ARRESTS/CONVICTIONS IN MULTIPLE STATES. WILKINS HAS A PRIOR ARREST AND CONVICTION FOR MUDER IN ILLINOIS AND WILLIAMS HAS A PRIOR ARREST AND CONVICTION FOR FELONY ROBBERY IN VIRGINIA.