Waukegan auto shop owner accused of selling drugs out of his business

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A suburban auto repair shop owner who allegedly sold drugs out of his business is facing felony charges after his arrest this week.

According to Waukegan police, 63-year-old Victor Montes De Oca Lopez, a Waukegan resident, is facing several felony charges following his arrest on Wednesday, including unlawful possession of a controlled substance (UPCS), unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver within 500 feet of a park, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver within 500 feet of a school, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and unlawful possession ammunition by a felon. 

Authorities said the charges against Montes De Oca Lopez were handed down following an investigation into a report that he was selling drugs out of his business, Victor’s Auto Repair, located in the 700 block of Belvidere Road.

After authorities initiated the investigation, they obtained a search warrant for Montes De Oca Lopez and the business.

Before the search, Montes De Oca Lopez was stopped by police as he was leaving his home. Officers said at the time of his arrest, the suspect had allegedly been driving with a revoked license and had $11,094.00 in cash on him, which officers seized pending forfeiture proceedings.

Authorities then searched the suspect’s business where they allegedly found 31 grams of cocaine and 59 grams of cannabis in his office as well as a loaded revolver that was in another area.

It was not Montes De Oca Lopez’s first run-in with the law, members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Significant Incident Group conducted a similar investigation targetting him in October of 2023. At that time, he was allegedly arrested with a firearm and cocaine. The case is still pending court proceedings.