OTTAWA – a Peru man faces multiple charges after police discovered a stolen firearm during a traffic stop in Ottawa on Friday. According to the Ottawa Police Department, just they conducted a traffic stop around 2 p.m., on W. Marquette Street when the passenger, 19-year-old Mariano M. Verucchi attempted to flee from the scene. Authorities say further investigation of the vehicle led to the discovery of an alleged stolen handgun and ammunition. Verucchi was ultimately taken into custody and charged with possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and resisting a peace officer. His bond is set at $1 million dollars. Verucchi is currently out on bond for numerous offenses including a 2019 LaSalle County firearms case, a 2020 Grundy County case for unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated fleeing and eluding, a 2021 Kane County case where he was charged with armed violence, possession of a firearm by a street gang member and other related charges.
