Loaded Shotgun Found in Backpack Carried by Evanston Man

EVANSTON, IL - An Evanston man was arrested Monday after police found him on a street carrying a backpack with a loaded shotgun.

Hari Lele, 20, of the 1200 block of Forest in Evanston, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon around 10:45 a.m. after his encounter with police in the 900 block of Greenleaf Street.

According to police, an officer spotted Lele walking with a green backpack that appeared to have an object stretching its material inside. Lele immediately changed direction and increased his walking pace after noticing the cop, the report states, and was observed to be "nervous and shaking" after he did stop.

Inside the bag was a loaded 12 gauge shotgun, one in which Lele denied ownership.

The officer who made the arrest was familiar with Lele and his alleged involvement with narcotics sales in the area, according to police.

photo via the Evanston Police Department