Crime & Safety
Chicago, IL CTA Red Line: 3 Arrested With Loaded Guns in 1 Hour
Chicago, IL – Three men were arrested at separate Chicago Transit Authority Red Line stations within approximately one hour after Cook County Sheriff's Police recovered loaded firearms during a series
By Nora Whitfield · 2026-11-10T18:40:07.303Z
Chicago, IL – Three men were arrested at separate Chicago Transit Authority Red Line stations within approximately one hour after Cook County Sheriff 's Police recovered loaded firearms during a series of encounters on the city's South Side.
According to the Cook County Sheriff 's Office, all three arrests occurred Monday, Nov. 2, at the 69th Street, 95th Street and 79th Street Red Line stations.
First Arrest at 69th Street Station
At approximately 4:20 p.m., officers arrested 42 year old Joseph Tillman after observing him playing a portable speaker on the platform, which authorities described as a violation of CTA rules.
During a search, officers recovered suspected crack cocaine and a loaded firearm.
Prosecutors charged Tillman with possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, along with drug possession, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges.
Second Arrest 35 Minutes Later
Approximately 35 minutes later, deputies encountered 25 year old Brandon Brown smoking on the platform at the 95th Street Red Line station.
After taking Brown into custody for disorderly conduct, officers searched him and his belongings, recovering a loaded firearm, suspected Ecstasy and brass knuckles.
Authorities said Brown did not possess a Firearm Owner's Identification card.
He faces weapons and drug charges, along with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Third Loaded Firearm Recovered at 79th Street
About 30 minutes after Brown's arrest, officers at the 79th Street station encountered 32 year old George Sales smoking near the station entrance.
Following his arrest for disorderly conduct, officers recovered another loaded firearm.
Authorities said Sales had a revoked FOID card.
He was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Court Proceedings Follow Arrests
Tillman and Sales were ordered held in Cook County Jail following their initial court appearances Nov. 3.
Brown was ordered released from custody following his Nov. 4 hearing.
All three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The arrests highlight ongoing enforcement efforts involving firearms and CTA regulations across Chicago's transit system.