Investigators assigned to the Evanston Police Department’s special operations group were working in an area that recently has seen several shootings. On Friday, July 18, at approximately 3:30 p.m., several subjects were observed in front of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center in the 1600 block of Foster St. The subjects were recognized by the officers as being associated with street gang activity and as the officers approached the subjects they smelled cannabis and observed one subject had a significant bulge in his clothing, said Commander Jay Parrott of the Evanston Police Department.
Police conducted an investigative stop as a result of their observations and recovered a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun from an 18-year old male who provided a Mount Prospect address, said the Commander. The male was placed into custody and charged with numerous weapons charges, said the Commander. He is currently on parole for previously possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, added the Commander.
The firearm recovered in this incident had an obliterated serial number, said the Commander.
This arrest is the result of an enhanced police presence specific to reducing crimes of violence and making Evanston safer for residents, said Commander Parrott.