Bond was set at $250,000 Wednesday for an Oak Lawn man accused of possessing more than two kilograms of marijuana and hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition, authorities said.
Erik Bixler, 29, appeared in Bridgeview court charged with unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated fleeing or eluding police, possession with intent to deliver more than 2000 grams of marijuana and possession of more than 2000 grams of marijuana, according to court records. He also was cited for several alleged traffic violations.
Prosecutors on Wednesday said Bixler allegedly had paraphernalia used in the manufacture, packaging and sale of marijuana stored in a garage and storage unit at a residence in the 9000 block of South 50th Avenue.
Bixler allegedly was found to have an warrant for a previous DUI offense, Oak Lawn police said.
On Monday, Oak Lawn police undercover officers allegedly saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation at about 6:30 p.m. in an area near 91st and Meade streets, Oak Lawn police said.
The driver allegedly fled and committed numerous more traffic violations when officers tried to stop the vehicle, police said.
Officers determined the address of the registered owner of the vehicle was the 9000 block of South 50th Avenue and waited for the driver to return home as other officers pursued the vehicle, police said.
Bixler, who allegedly arrived at the address in the vehicle, was taken into custody, police said.
Officers allegedly found marijuana, a loaded handgun and a box of ammunition in Bixler’s possession, police said. A search warrant for the garage and storage unit allegedly led officers to find the marijuana paraphernalia and additional ammunition.
Bixler returns to court April 5.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.