Crime & Safety
Chicago, IL Gun Arrest Oct. 18: Police Cameras Track Teen Suspect
Chicago, IL – A 17 year old boy faces a felony weapons charge after Chicago police used surveillance cameras and automated license plate readers to locate a vehicle connected to a reported firearm inc
By Owen Prescott · 2026-10-21T18:59:11.196Z
Chicago, IL – A 17 year old boy faces a felony weapons charge after Chicago police used surveillance cameras and automated license plate readers to locate a vehicle connected to a reported firearm incident in the Humboldt Park area Sunday, Oct. 18.
According to the Chicago Police Department , officers assigned to the 11th District responded Sunday morning to a report of a person with a gun near Hamlin Avenue and Chicago Avenue on the city's West Side.
Police Cameras Capture Reported Gun Incident
Investigators reviewed video evidence that allegedly showed a male displaying a firearm at a nearby gas station before leaving in a vehicle.
Officers working inside the district's Strategic Decision Support Center monitored the situation and received an automated license plate reader alert involving the vehicle.
The alert placed the vehicle less than a mile away in the 3200 block of West Chicago Avenue.
Police also observed the vehicle through real time surveillance cameras.
Officers Recover Firearm From Vehicle
Officers responded to the location and found the vehicle parked and unoccupied.
Several individuals standing near the vehicle reportedly ran as officers approached.
Police subsequently observed a firearm on the driver's side floor of the vehicle and recovered the weapon.
While searching for the individuals who fled, an officer spotted a male wearing clothing matching that of the person allegedly seen displaying the firearm earlier.
The individual was identified as a 17 year old boy and taken into custody less than an hour after the initial incident.
Teen Faces Felony Weapons Charge
Police said the juvenile was charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under 21.
The charge is an allegation, and the juvenile is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The Chicago Police Department credited its Strategic Decision Support Center, automated license plate readers and surveillance footage with helping officers locate the vehicle and make the arrest.
Authorities did not release the juvenile's identity or provide additional court information in the announcement.