LAPORTE COUNTY – A traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road on Wednesday night resulted in several charges, including weapons and drug charges, for a Flossmoor, IL man.
On August 19, 2026, at approximately 8:36 p.m. CST, Trooper Santoyo made a traffic stop on a white 2017 BMW traveling eastbound for having no taillights on the Indiana Toll Road near mile marker 50 in LaPorte County.
While speaking to the driver of the BMW, Santoyo could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of suspected marijuana as well as a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine that was reported stolen out of Illinois. An inspection of the handgun revealed that it was equipped with a “switch” that makes the semi-automatic handgun function as a fully automatic machine pistol.
These discoveries resulted in the arrest of the front seat passenger, identified as Patrick Wright, 22, of Flossmoor, IL. Wright was arrested for Possession of a machine gun without a license, Level 5 felony; possession of a firearm by a dangerous person, Level 6 felony; theft of a firearm, Level 5 felony; Possession of Marijuana, Class B misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor. Wright was taken to the LaPorte County Jail.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
