Chicago — Felony charges have been filed against a man who allegedly escaped from a Chicago police station after being arrested for having a gun at a laundromat.
Officers responded to a call about a person with a knife at Wash U Coin Laundry, 2259 North Pulaski, around 5:30 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told officers that a Hispanic man with tattoos on his face had the weapon inside the business, Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Sammarco said.
The cops saw Jesus Suarez, 33, matching that description, and asked him what was going on. Suarez tried to walk out the door.
But a sergeant stopped Suarez and found a loaded handgun in his chest area, Sammarco said. The firearm had been reported stolen from Austin, Texas.
Later, at Area Five police headquarters, 5555 West Grand, Suarez allegedly escaped from his handcuffs, damaged his cell door, and ran out of the station. Officers chased him down and took him back into custody inside Hanson Park, located across the street.
Suarez’s attorney said he supports four children by working as a cabinet installer.
According to Sammarco, he has three felony convictions, including aggravated discharge of a firearm in 2009.
Judge Barbara Dawkins held Suarez in lieu of $100,000 bail. She said he could go home on electronic monitoring by posting 10% of the bail amount.
