Chicago police arrested two more people last week for allegedly trying to bring guns onto North Avenue Beach. Prosecutors have now charged six adults with having guns at the beach since Memorial Day — about one case every three days.
The latest arrests took place at a checkpoint where police search bags for alcohol and other contraband at the beach entrance, 1601 North Lake Shore Drive.
Around 3:38 p.m. Saturday, Isaiah Simpson was with a group of beachgoers when police allegedly found alcohol in one of their bags. Simpson, 24, tried to leave, but police told him he was on park property and his bag was subject to search, prosecutors said.
Cops allegedly found a loaded handgun in his bag. Simpson has a valid Firearm Owner’s ID card, but he is not a concealed carry licensee, prosecutors said. Judge John Lyke released him on his own recognizance.
On Sunday, June 13, the contraband checkpoint scored another arrest. Prosecutors said 18-year-old Jamique Holts had a gun in a bag he brought to the beach around 5:30 p.m. Holts initially told police the bag was his, but then said he found the gun and kept it for protection, prosecutors said.
Judge Charles Beach said he was concerned about Holts’ age and the prosecutor’s allegations that he has an assault conviction in Texas. The judge set Holts’ bail at $15,000 and ordered him to go on a 24-hour curfew with electronic monitoring if he can post a mandatory $1,500 deposit.
Prosecutors charged two adults with possessing firearms illegally at North Avenue Beach on Memorial Day. Two others were charged with having guns at the beach in the first week of June.
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