Loaded Gun Found In Joliet Was Stolen In Mississippi: 2 Arrested

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police arrested two young men who tried to get away from the former Evergreen Terrace public housing in the 300 block of North Bluff Street. A loaded gun, stolen from Mississippi, was recovered by officers following the pair's arrest.

Joliet police said Steven Brown, 30, was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal trespass to land.

Brown's friend, 27-year-old Devarrius Thompson, also of Joliet, was charged with manufacture and delivery of marijuana, criminal trespass to land and obstructing a police officer.

Joliet police were summoned to the Riverwalk Homes public housing complex around 12:40 p.m. Thursday for a report of someone with a gun. Officers saw two men walking toward a parked vehicle on North Bluff, and one of them matched the suspect's description.

The two men refused to talk with the officers and got inside their vehicle, according to police.

"It appeared that Brown was attempting to hide a bag that he had been previously carrying under the passenger seat," police spokesman Dwayne English announced.

He said Brown was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident.

As for Thompson, he was in the driver’s seat and locked the vehicle doors, police reports show.

"Thompson ignored multiple commands to stop and placed the vehicle in gear, attempting to drive around the officers," police noted. "Backup officers arrived, at which time Thompson stopped the vehicle and he was placed into custody a short distance away."

A loaded 9 mm handgun was found in the bag Brown had carried, and marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also inside of Brown's bag, Joliet police stated.

Inside the trunk, a large amount of cannabis and drug packaging material was found, English said. Police determined the loaded gun Brown had was previously reported stolen from Mississippi. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

In Joliet, Brown resides in the 1300 block of Fairview Avenue, while Thompson lives in the 800 block of Milan Avenue. Both Will County Jail inmates will appear before a Will County judge on Friday for their bond hearings.