Loaded Gun Had Defaced Serial Number On Joliet's East Side: Police

JOLIET, IL — A 21-year-old Joliet man was arrested over the weekend after Joliet police say Earnest Anderson had a loaded gun that he didn't have any business possessing. The gun also had defaced serial numbers, according to Joliet police.

Now, Anderson is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, defacing identification marks of a firearm, having no valid FOID and obstructing a peace officer.

Anderson's arrest happened around 11 a.m. Saturday, when Joliet police were called to the 500 block of Des Plaines Street, right down the road from the police station.

"Officers observed a vehicle parked in front of a fire hydrant," police spokesman Dwayne English announced. "Officers observed the driver exit the vehicle and walk to a nearby alley."

Officers contacted Anderson, who then attempted to provide a false name, he said.

"Anderson attempted to run from officers but was immediately apprehended," English noted.

As the officers placed Anderson into custody, he indicated he possessed a handgun, police reports show. The officers recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun from Anderson’s waist, and the serial number of the firearm appeared to have been defaced.

Anderson lives in the 500 block of Joliet's Lehman Avenue. His bail has been set at $30,000.