Bond bid denied for alleged getaway driver
Found with assault rifle, loot from burglary
Bond reduction was denied Monday for a Cook County man who was found with an AK-47, several handguns and $500,000 in jewelry that were stolen from a Barrington Hills home in September.
Nicola Pugliese, 21, of Hanover Park remained in Lake County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.
Judge John T. Phillips rejected defense attorney Geoffrey Howard's bid to reduce bond on grounds that his client was unaware he was in possession of stolen property.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney James Newman argued for no change considering that Pugliese "was the getaway driver for a burglary."
Pugliese was indicted last month on 26 felony counts, including unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a firearm without an FOID card, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. The Class 2 weapon charges carry a penalty of seven years in prison.
Pugliese and Edward McCluskey, 32, of Barrington were arrested by Barrington police after weapons and electronics were found in Pugliese's car on Sept. 7.
According to court documents, a Barrington police officer tried to stop Pugliese for speeding on Route 59. However, Pugliese fled, eventually stopping at McCluskey's house to get a different vehicle. Pugliese was arrested outside the house before he could make the switch.
After the arrest, the stolen property was traced back to a Barrington Hills home, court documents said.
A police investigation revealed that McCluskey was an employee of the burglary victim and knew his boss was on vacation when the theft was committed.
Police later found an additional handgun and ammunition at McCluskey's home that was reported stolen in a Carol Stream burglary.
McCluskey faces felony charges of theft over $300 and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He was also indicted on charges of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a firearm without an FOID card.
Pugliese is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Nov. 19.
McCluskey is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond pending a court appearance scheduled Nov. 20.
