'Disorderly' Man Packs Gun With Defaced Serial Number: Cops

OAK LAWN, IL — A Bridgeview man who fled from police was found to have a gun hidden in his waistband with a defaced serial number, prosecutors said. Abdelrahman Ramadan, 19, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a felony charge of possession of firearm with a defaced serial number. His friend, 20-year-old Omar Hamad, of Oak Lawn, was also picked up on felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and cannabis.

Oak Lawn police responded to a disturbance around 4 a.m. July 11 at Speedway at 98th Street and Cicero Avenue. When officers arrived, they ordered the Ramadan, Hamad and other occupants out of their vehicle. As police were running Hamad's license plate, Ramadan allegedly took off running. The prosecutor said officers caught up to Ramadan, who found a loaded handgun in his waistband. The gun's serial number had also been scratched off, according to the charges.

A further search of Hamad's car revealed an open bottle of Hennessy, 47 grams of cannabis, baggies and one Tramadol. Hamad allegedly admitted to buying cannabis "en masse" and said the pill belonged to him.

Ramadan's attorney told the judge that his client suffers from a mood disorder.

"A gun with a defaced serial number serves no purpose except for crime," Mahoney said, setting Ramadan’s bail at $100,000.

In addition to the gun charge, Ramadan faces misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing justice.

This was Hamad's first arrest, who is also facing misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of cannabis and disorderly conduct. Hamad was released on a $10,000 I-bond.

Ramadan and Hamad are due back in court Aug. 5 in Bridgeview.