Gun Bought On Snapchat Seized After Industrial Park Quarrel: Cops

BEDFORD PARK, IL — A Burbank man was arrested after he displayed a stolen gun during an argument with another man, prosecutors said. Michael Roush, 20, appeared before Cook County Judge Terry Gallagher on a felony charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Around 10:15 a.m. Dec. 24, a witness handed over a backpack to police containing a handgun. According to the complaint, the witness told police that he was sitting in a car with Roush in an industrial area on Melvina in Bedford Park. The two were arguing when Roush allegedly unzipped a backpack revealing a .22-caliber Mossberg handgun.

The witness got scared and left the car, at which time Roush got out and chased him through the industrial park, police said. An employee from one of the businesses confronted Roush and told him to leave, the prosecutor said. The witness claimed he ran back to Roush’s car and took the backpack. When police ran the serial number of the gun, they learned the gun had been reported stolen in Memphis, Tenn.

The prosecutor said security video showed Roush’s car driving to the parking lot. The witness’s car was seen arriving moments later, and the witness got out of his car and entered Roush’s vehicle. Officers said Roush called the witness while they were talking to him.

Police surrounded Roush’s home and took him into custody trying to sneak out of his house, the prosecutor said. Roush allegedly told police that he purchased the gun on Snapchat. Roush was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn after expressing suicidal thoughts, the prosecutor said.

The assistant public defender said Roush is currently living in Sandwich with his grandparents. Roush is a 2017 graduate of Reavis High School.

Bail was set at $5,000 after being reduced from $10,000. Roush is to be on electronic monitoring while his case is pending. Roush’s next court date is Feb. 13 in Bridgeview.