Prosecutors: Felon Brandished Handgun After Pride Parade

Cruz (inset) is accused of brandishing a handgun as the parade crowd dispersed Sunday evening.

Police have identified the first of several people who were arrested for serious crimes during and after Sunday’s Chicago Pride Parade.

24-year-old Phillip Cruz of Elgin brandished a firearm while asking another man for his gang affiliation as crowds left Boystown around 5:30 p.m., police said.

Cruz ran when officers tried to conduct a field interview, but he was quickly captured in the 3100 block of North Broadway, a spokesman said, adding that a weapon was recovered from the scene.

Prosecutors said Cruz claimed that he was holding the gun for a girl.

Cruz is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated assault, and resisting-obstructing arrest. His bail is set at $100,000.

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Court records show that Cruz was sentenced to prison for possessing a stolen motor vehicle in 2012.

Still pending this morning were charges against a woman who was arrested after brandishing a handgun near Oakdale and Sheffield last night and a man who robbed a woman near the Belmont Red Line station during yesterday’s parade.

CWBChicago will continue to publish updates on parade-related arrests this week.

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About CWBChicago 4272 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com