Arrest of Two Men Leads to Recovery of Loaded Firearms
Chicago police officers investigating a wanted vehicle on the Magnificent Mile made a significant arrest that led to the recovery of four loaded firearms, including a machine gun and a rifle, as per CPD reports.
Judge Orders Detention of Suspects
Judge Mary Marubio ordered Davion Thomas, 21, and Erick Griffith, 24, to be detained as public safety risks following their arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
Police Action on Magnificent Mile
At around 3 p.m. on Monday, officers were in the area of Walton and Michigan searching for a white GMC Acadia that had evaded police and was reportedly occupied by an individual with a rifle. The vehicle was located in the 100 block of East Walton near the Drake Hotel.
While inspecting the car, officers spotted Thomas exiting a nearby store. Upon seeing the police, he reacted by clutching his waist and fleeing as officers approached him, according to his arrest report.
Thomas was apprehended in the 100 block of East Delaware. During the arrest, a loaded handgun with an illegal machine gun switch and a drum-style magazine fell from his waistband, as noted in his arrest report.
Thomas admitted to the police that he carried the gun for self-protection and was aware of its automatic firing capabilities. He faces charges of unlawful use of a machine gun and possession of a defaced firearm.
Recovery of Firearms
Simultaneously, officers responding to the suspicious vehicle call observed Griffith discarding a stolen pistol in a planter on the 900 block of North Michigan. Griffith was found to have the key fob for the GMC in his possession.
Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered another loaded handgun with an extended magazine and a short-barreled “ghost” rifle.
Griffith has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a stolen firearm.
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