Police patrolling the 1500 block of Broadway around 10 p.m. last night were alerted by a resident that a man with a gun had just left the area. The suspect was armed with a handgun, had his finger on the trigger, and was pounding his chest and breathing heavily. The complainant was especially concerned since a nearby bar seemed to be the focus of the armed man’s attention. The suspect sensed that he was being watched so he got into a car drove away.
Officers searched the area and within about ten minutes, found the suspect stuck in traffic. East Precinct bike officers quickly coordinated with nightlife emphasis foot beat officers and formed a plan for a high risk vehicle stop.
Officers stopped the car and spoke with the suspect. Officers learned that the man had a license to carry a concealed weapon. They also found his loaded 9mm handgun.
Since brandishing a gun isn’t covered by permit, officers arrested the man for a misdemeanor weapons violation.
Many thanks to the watchful resident for seeing something suspicious and then quickly sharing the information with bike officers who were patrolling the area.