Man Points Gun At Partygoer's Head After Slapping Them: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — A Harvey man is facing felony charges after reportedly pointing a gun at another partygoer, after slapping them, last week. Harvel Harris, 34, of the 15300 block of Ashland Avenue, is accused of felony aggravated unlawful restraint, felony unlawful use/possession of a firearm by a felon, three misdemeanors of aggravated assault, and was arrested May 9.

Harris remains in the Cook County Jail and is due back in court Tuesday.

Police responded to the 1800 block of S. Lee Street at 4:45 a.m. May 9, for a report of a man with a gun that had pointed it at the 911 caller and at least one other person. The victim described the person as a black male with a beard that goes by the nickname, "Pooky," according to police. The victims had fled the scene and went to a gas station in the 2000 block of S. Mannheim Road, where they requested to meet with police.

At the gas station, police spoke with the original caller, as well as three others, who said they all had been at a party on Lee Street when Harris reportedly slapped the victim in the face. He then pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the victim's head, and threatened them. Harris also prevented the victim from leaving.

Eventually, the victim and additional witnesses were able to flee the home and call 911. One of the witnesses told police they knew Harris. It was also learned Harris had a black Chevrolet Equinox that police had seen parked in the driveway of the Lee Street home.

Soon thereafter, the black SUV reversed out of the driveway and started traveling south on Lee Street toward Howard Avenue, then east on Howard. As the SUV approached Howard and Mannheim Road, the following sergeant activated his lights and the car pulled over at a gas station parking lot in the 1900 block of Mannheim.

Police said all occupants of the SUV were given commands to exit the vehicle separately due to the accusation a gun had been involved in the incident, to which they all complied. Harris, who was the driver, was taken into custody, where multiple witnesses identified him as the person with the handgun that had threatened them

Police obtained a search warrant for the car, and found a loaded black 9mm handgun underneath the front passenger seat.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charges.