Illinois man in court on weapons charges

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A judge found that there was probable cause Tuesday in a case in which a Chester, Ill., man faces four felony charges that stem from an August incident at a Perryville bar.

Eugene R. Bedwell, 50, has an arraignment set for Nov. 2 in circuit court, where he is charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Officers were called in August to Pom's Bar because of an altercation a caller said involved a weapon, police say. They found a man, identified as Bedwell, standing near a truck. As they approached, police said, he came out from behind the truck and was taken into custody. But a 9 mm pistol was found in his waistband, police said.

Witnesses told police that Bedwell and his girlfriend had been arguing inside the bar. Bedwell left, but slashed one of her tires, police said. He returned with the pistol and had chambered a round into the weapon. Police say Bedwell was brandishing the weapons at bouncers before officers arrived.