Fun With Found Gun at Work Leads to Felony Charge: Cops

Chicago Ridge, IL -- A Chicago man was arrested July 7 after firing a gun he found during work at a Chicago Ridge recycling plant, prosecutors said in court Friday.

Moreno Salazar, 41, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault.

According to the allegations, Salazar was working at Resource Management, 10111 S. Andersen Ave., Chicago Ridge, when he found a loaded .22 on the sorting table.

Salazar pointed the gun at a co-worker. When another co-worker saw what happened, Salazar laughed. He then fired a round into the conveyor belt, the prosecutor said.

Salazer has no prior criminal background.

When arguing for a low bond, the assistant public defender told the judge it wasn’t a violent act but “not the brightest move.”

Bail was set at $30,000. He was ordered to stay away from his co-workers while the case is pending. It wasn’t clear if Salazar was still employed at the facility after working there four years.

Salazar is due back in court Aug. 5 in Bridgeview.