DeKalb man arrested after alleged threats to police officer with loaded handgun during traffic stop

DeKALB – A DeKalb man is facing charges after police say during a traffic stop he allegedly threatened to kill an officer, a loaded handgun was found inside his car, and he’s reportedly linked to a street gang.

Hugo Lazaro, 25, of the 600 block of Girard Street in DeKalb, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, a Class 2 felony; aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony; threatening a public official, a Class 3 felony; and misdemeanors including driving while license revoked and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition without a firearm owner identification card.

According to DeKalb County court documents, Lazaro was driving a vehicle at about 10:30 p.m. Monday west on Edgebrook Drive in DeKalb and an officer ran the vehicle’s license plates in their system. Police allege search results revealed Lazaro’s driver’s license was revoked, though it was not specified within court documents why Lazaro’s license was revoked in the first place.

Officers pulled Lazaro over for a traffic stop and arrested Lazaro at the 700 block of North Sixth Street, according to court documents. Police found a loaded, uncased 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun tucked in between the driver’s seat and the center console, with 13 bullets in the magazine. Lazaro does not have a concealed carry license or firearm owner’s identification card and is a member of the Latin King street gang, according to court documents.

Police reports also allege Lazaro threatened officers, and when an officer checked on him in the police department’s booking area, Lazaro allegedly said ‘When I get you in the [expletive] street, I swear to God, [expletive]. You’re going to die when I get you in the [expletive] street,’ " court documents read.

If convicted of the unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, which is the most serious charge, Lazaro could face a 3 to 10 year mandatory prison sentence with no probation, DeKalb County Chief Judge Robbin Stuckert said in a virtual court bond hearing Tuesday.

Prosecutors wanted Stuckert to set bond for Lazaro at $25,000 with required electronic home monitoring, saying Lazaro has been convicted of serious felony and misdemeanor charges before. However, DeKalb County Public Defender Tom McCulloch said in court Tuesday that Lazaro scored a seven out of 14 on the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument and Lazaro said in court he could attend hearings via Zoom.

“Now, for some reason, they believe they’re unable to provide reasonable assurances” that he would be a threat to the public, McCulloch said. “Although, based on statistical norms that would estimate an 87% probability that he would appear for all future hearings, no new offenses would occur.”

Stuckert set a $10,000 bond for Lazaro with required electronic home monitoring. Lazaro would have to post $1,000 to be released from DeKalb County Jail, though he said he had the money to post.

Lazaro is due back in court 10:45 a.m. June 8.