Here are details of some recent notable arrests in the Uptown neighborhood:
It’s not every day that you see a man walking around the neighborhood with a full-sized axe. But several people have reported seeing exactly that in Uptown and Lakeview recently. One reader even sent us a picture of the wayward lumberjack sporting a 3-foot axe after being denied boarding on a CTA bus.
Police caught up with the man after receiving a “suspicious person” call in the 1100 block of West Lawrence at 7:10 a.m. on Sept. 23.
Bernardo Jackson, 43, was taken into custody and now faces misdemeanor weapons charges for allegedly possessing a single bit axe, a 4-inch knife, and a 6-inch stainless steel blade, according to police records.
One week earlier, Peter Buol sent CWBChicago two photographs of a man who looks very much like Jackson standing outside a CTA bus at Montrose and Lake Shore Drive. The man in the photo had been turned away by the bus driver because he had an axe hanging from his left hand, Buol said.
“It was not a hatchet. It’s a full-size axe,” Buol said.
Judge John Lyke released Jackson on a recognizance bond.
“It’s crazy out here”
A man who’s on parole for dealing cocaine in an Uptown park was found in possession of a handgun while making another drug deal last week, according to police and court allegations.
Police said they saw 20-year-old Tyrese Nichols conduct a hand-to-hand drug transaction in the 900 block of West Wilson around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 24. As cops exited their vehicle to speak with Nichols, he walked away, grabbed his side, then started running, police allege.
An officer said he saw Nichols using his left hand to hold a silver handgun in his waistband. Nichols reportedly complied when the cop ordered him to drop the weapon on the 900 block of West Windsor. Officers recovered a loaded silver revolver with a laser sight attachment at the scene.
Prosecutors charged Nichols with felony counts of being a felon in possession of a weapon, felony unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a laser sight.
Police said Nichols told them he carries the gun for his protection because “it’s crazy out here.”
State records show that Nichols was released from prison on April 19 after serving half of a four-year sentence that he received for selling cocaine in an Uptown park in 2017.
Judge David Navarro ordered him held without bail.
Misdemeanors for alleged gun threat
Three misdemeanor charges have been filed against a man who police say admitted to pointing a handgun at another man and threatened to shoot the victim on an Uptown street.
A 31-year-old man told police that he got into a disagreement with Maurice Burt on the 1000 block of West Wilson around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 16. Burt allegedly told the man, “Boy, get out of my way…I’ll beat your ass.” He then allegedly stepped to his car, retrieved a handgun from the center console, and pointed it at the victim.
“I’m going to kill you,” Burt allegedly said before lowering the gun, returning to his car, and driving away.
Police caught up with Burt in his car near the Sheridan Red Line station a few minutes later. Officers said in an arrest report that Burt admitted to pointing the gun at the man.
A search of Burt’s vehicle allegedly turned up not one but two guns.
Prosecutors charged Burt with two misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Judge Charles Beach set bail at $3,000, which required Burt to pay a deposit of $300 to get out of jail.
Police said Burt has an Illinois Firearm Owner ID card, but he does not have a concealed carry permit. He’s due back in court on Oct. 8.