Chicago Felon Eugene Henry Released After Deputies Discover Stolen Loaded Handgun During South Side Traffic Stop

Eugene Henry faces felony charges after Cook County deputies find a stolen loaded gun in a GMC Yukon during a South Side traffic stop. Read the full report.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 10:00 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from FOX 32 Chicago

Traffic Violation Leads to Felony Firearm Recovery

A routine enforcement of traffic laws on Chicago's South Side escalated into a felony weapons investigation on the evening of March 3. Cook County Sheriff’s police initiated a stop in the 8300 block of South State Street around 8 p.m. after observing a white GMC Yukon fail to stop at a posted sign. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies identified the driver as 47-year-old Eugene Henry. The interaction quickly shifted from a traffic matter to a criminal inquiry when officers determined that Henry was operating the SUV without a valid driver’s license or the state-mandated automotive insurance.

Vehicle Inventory Search Uncovers Stolen Weapon

Standard police protocol requires that a vehicle be towed when an operator lacks both a license and insurance, necessitating an inventory search of the property. It was during this procedure that deputies discovered a loaded handgun concealed within the GMC Yukon. A check of the firearm's serial number through law enforcement databases confirmed that the weapon had previously been reported stolen within the city of Chicago. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the discovery of the loaded hardware provided the probable cause necessary to take Henry into immediate physical custody at the scene.

Lack of Credentialing and Legal Status

The investigation into Henry’s legal standing revealed a complete absence of the required documentation for firearm ownership in the state of Illinois. Authorities confirmed that the defendant did not possess a Firearm Owner’s Identification card, nor did he hold a concealed carry license. Under current statutes, the possession of a firearm by an individual without these credentials, combined with the weapon's stolen status, significantly elevated the legal jeopardy facing the driver. These factors formed the basis for the formal charges subsequently filed by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.