2 Found With Loaded Guns At Fox Valley Mall Charged: DuPage SA

AURORA, IL — Two teens, ages 18 and 16, were accused of illegally possessing guns after they were apprehended in a foot chase at Fox Valley Mall Monday evening, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Alim Hartline, 18, was charged with one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of possession of a firearm with defaced serial number. The 16-year-old Aurora boy, whose identity was not revealed, was charged with one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Hartline, of the 2100 block of Sheffer Road in Aurora, appeared in court Tuesday morning where a DuPage County judge set his bond at $80,000, with 10 percent to apply for bail. The same day, the boy appeared at a detention hearing where a judge ordered that he be released to his parents on home detention, officials said.

The 18-year-old's next court appearance, for arraignment, is scheduled for April 10. The juvenile is scheduled to appear in court again on April 3.

The two Aurora residents were apprehended Monday evening when police responded to Fox Valley Mall after receiving a report of two people with guns. As police arrived, officials said both fled from officers, with Hartline dropping a fully loaded Taurus 9mm with one bullet in the chamber before he was caught, according to prosecutors.

The 16-year-old, on the other hand, was apprehended after a short foot chase. He was hiding in a nearby port-o-potty, officials said.

Police found a fully loaded Glock 23 with one bullet in the chamber about 50 yards away from where the boy was found.

"Neither of the two individuals charged in this case are legally allowed to own a weapon, let alone carry one on their person in public," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "I commend the Aurora Police Department not only for their quick identification and apprehension of the defendants in this case, but also for their ongoing efforts in keeping guns out of the hands of those who are not legally allowed to possess them."

Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said the two suspects being caught resulted from "intelligence-led policing," in which officers "effectively and efficiently" shared information and worked together.

"Through effective communication, collaboration, and decisive action, they were able to safely apprehend the offenders and take two dangerous weapons off the streets," he said in a statement.