MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon police arrested two people early Monday morning on drug and weapons charges.

According to reports, just before 3 am, officers were conducting a foot patrol of businesses around 18th and Jefferson when they made contact with two subjects they observed in a parked vehicle.

While speaking with the subjects one of them, 27-year-old James J Lomax, fled on foot. Lomax was seen a few blocks away by an Illinois State Trooper and was taken into custody.

A stolen handgun and ammunition were reportedly located inside the vehicle where Lomax had been seated.

Lomax was charged with Possession of a Firearm by Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Illegal Possession of Ammunition and Resisting Arrest.

The second person from the vehicle, 22-year-old Ambrozia Thomas, was taken into custody for alleged Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Both Lomax and Thomas were taken to the Jefferson County Jail where they await the formal filing of charges and the setting of bail.