Cops Recognize, Chase Gun-Toting Gang Member: Police

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston police recognized an alleged active gang member during a late-night patrol, gave chase and found two loaded handguns apparently dropped by the fleeing suspects before arresting one the following day. Detectives from EPD's tactical unit were on patrol around Howard Street just after midnight on Thursday, Sept. 28, when they noticed two men walking around Jonquil Terrace and Ashland Avenue, according to Evanston Police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan.

Detectives recognized one of the men as active gang member Sherwin L. Flowers, a 28-year-old parolee from the 2000 block of West Arthur in Chicago, and noticed the distinctive bulge of a what appeared to be handgun inside his "True Religion" brand sweatshirt near his waistband, according to Dugan. When police stepped out of their car, Flowers and the other man ran away. Dugan said detectives noticed a black object sticking out from Flowers' waistband as he fled.

The other man tossed a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber handgun to the ground as he ran away, Dugan said. Police recovered the gun but did not find the man. Chasing detectives lost sight of Flowers in the 7700 block of North Marshfield Avenue, but they were able to find a loaded Heckler & Koch .45 caliber handgun wrapped in a "True Religion" brand sweatshirt. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

About 24 hours later, police arrested Flowers and charged him with one count of felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon on parole. He has a 2006 conviction for aggravated battery with a firearm and a 2015 conviction for felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

_{Top photo: Guns reportedly recovered by Evanston PD detectives from Sherwin Flowers and a fleeing companion | Evanston PD}