Evanston Teen Charged With Having Stolen Loaded Gun: Police

EVANSTON, IL — An 18-year-old was arrested and charged with being in possession of a loaded stolen gun, according to Evanston police.

Police pulled over a car on May 28 at 9:51 p.m. after running its registration and seeing it was suspended. During the stop, the passenger who was sitting in the back seat got out of the car and fled on foot while carrying a fanny pack.

The driver and front seat passenger stayed in the car and cooperated with the police, authorities said.

Upon further investigation of the car, Evanston officers said they found cannabis and a loaded Ruger Security-9 9mm handgun, which was in the back seat. The gun contained 11 rounds of ammunition.

Later, police confirmed that the gun had been reported stolen from Iowa in 2024.

The person who had fled returned a short time later and police took him into custody. He was identified as 18-year-old Evanston resident Billy Price Jr.

According to the Evanston Police Department, Price did not have a firearm owner's identification card or a concealed carry license.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the incident and approved charges of felony unlawful possession of a firearm and misdemeanor improper possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle against Price.