Rockford gang member charged with being an armed habitual criminal, possession of cocaine

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois State Police arrested Jovino Ramirez, 34, for being an armed habitual criminal among other charges.

On May 2nd, around 1:52 a.m., ISP conducted a traffic stop because a vehicle was waiving within its lane, having a delayed response to a stop sign and failing to use a turn signal.

Police asked the suspect for his insurance and driver’s license but Ramirez appeared nervous, according to court documents. Authorities said they asked him to step out of the car but he refused.

Ramirez was asked multiple times to get out and he eventually complied but tried to walk away from the officers, police said.

The suspect resisted officials until they handcuffed him, according to authorities. Police said he then threw a clear plastic baggie onto the hood of his car that contained cocaine.

Officials searched the suspect and his vehicle and found a handgun, ammunition and a digital scale.

Ramirez is being charged with armed habitual criminal, aggravated DUI while having a revoked license, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, gang member possession of a firearm, resisting a peace officer, armed violence, possession of cocaine, improper turn signal, disregarded stop sign, driving under the influence, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving on a revoked license and driving under the influence drug and alcohol combination.

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