Judge denies pre-trial release for Cook County man charged with firearm, drug offenses
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bensenville Chief of Police Bradley Swanson announced on June 26 that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s Motion to deny pre-trial release for Arizona Gould, a Cook County resident with multiple felony convictions who is accused of possessing a loaded handgun and approximately fourteen grams of cocaine.
Gould, 28, appeared in First Appearance Court facing one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – Loaded No FCCA or FOID card (Class 4 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony), and several misdemeanor offenses including Aggravated Assault on Public Property, Reckless Conduct, and Disorderly Conduct.
According to the announcement, Bensenville police responded at about 12:40 p.m. on June 25 to an Amoco gas station at 101 W. Irving Park Road after receiving reports that an individual in a red Jeep had allegedly followed another driver into the parking lot and pointed a firearm at him. Officers spoke with the victim and located the unoccupied Jeep parked nearby at Subway. Investigators allege that following an earlier near collision between Gould’s vehicle and the victim's car at an intersection, both drivers pulled into Amoco where words were exchanged before Gould allegedly drew and pointed his loaded handgun. Afterward, it is alleged Gould left for Subway restaurant where detectives found him exiting the restroom; they recovered a loaded Canik 9 mm pistol from inside the restroom garbage container. At arrest, police say Gould was also found carrying about fourteen grams of cocaine.
“It is alleged that Mr. Gould, a man with multiple felony convictions and prohibited from legally owning a firearm, was not only illegally in possession of a loaded handgun, but also pointed that gun at another individual,” Berlin said. “The very thought that a man who has forfeited his right to own a firearm, pointed a loaded gun at another individual following a road-rage incident is extremely disturbing. This type of violent behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. I thank the Bensenville Police Department for their outstanding work in locating the defendant and removing an illegally possessed weapon from our streets. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sandi Tanoue and Kelsey Kerr for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Gould.”
“Thanks to the quick and coordinated efforts of our patrol officers and detectives, this dangerous offender was quickly located, safely taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered,” Swanson said. “I thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their assistance and their continued commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.”
Gould's next court appearance is scheduled for July 20 before Judge Brian Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that these charges are allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
In related county context: The average student-to-teacher ratio in DuPage County during the 2022-23 school year was thirteen-to-one among more than ten thousand faculty members serving over one hundred forty-two thousand students; teacher absenteeism rates stood above state averages; York Community High School had high white student enrollment while Metea Valley High School led among multiracial students; Westmore Elementary recorded top Pacific Islander enrollment numbers; Addison Trail High School had highest Hispanic student enrollment—all according to the Illinois State Board of Education.