Cops who stopped Donrell Radcliffe for a traffic violation along the Magnificent Mile over the weekend became curious when they allegedly saw a box of ammunition in his driver’s door panel. That’s when Radcliffe admitted that he was carrying not one but two loaded handguns in his jacket, too, prosecutors said.
It happened at 7:11 p.m. Saturday on Superior Street, just west of Michigan Avenue, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Mahoney.
Cops opened Radcliffe’s driver’s door so they could see and hear him, Mahoney said, explaining that the car’s windows were heavily tinted. As the officers did that, they allegedly saw that box of ammo in the door storage area.
The curious officers asked Radcliffe, 21, about the ammunition. He freely stated that he had a gun in his jacket and began reaching for the weapon, Mahoney said. The cops ordered him not to move, and they recovered a loaded handgun with an extended magazine from his coat pocket, according to Mahoney.
That’s when Radcliffe allegedly told them that he had another gun in his other jacket pocket, too. Cops pulled a loaded 9-millimeter handgun from that pocket, Mahoney said.
Radcliffe is licensed to own firearms, but he does not have a concealed carry license, according to Mahoney.
A public defender said Radcliffe has no criminal background and works as a cook and cashier at Popeyes.
“Not one but two firearms. Loaded. One with an extended magazine in a car with heavily tinted windows,” Judge Maryam Ahmad said, recounting the state’s allegations. “When the court hears facts like this, it raises questions about public safety.”
She set Radcliffe’s bail at $6,000 and ordered him to surrender his Firearm Owner’s ID card. Radcliffe went home by posting a $600 deposit.
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