A number of recent shootings in the area has propelled the Evanston Police Department to conduct a series of what they are calling targeted street-level patrol operations in neighborhoods impacted by gun violence. The operations led to the arrest of a group of male suspects on the 1100 block of McDaniel Avenue, Evanston, on April 25, according to a police news release.
Evanston police initially detained five males, and three of them were later charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office on several felony and misdemeanor counts of drug and unlawful weapon possession.
The news release detailed the charges as follows.
Moe Kyaw, 20, of the 4700 block of North Kelso Avenue, Chicago, was charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with one class X felony count of armed violence, one class four felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon, one class four felony count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and one class B misdemeanor count of cannabis possession.
According to Evanston Police Commander Chelsea Brown, armed violence charges are brought forward when an accused suspect possesses a “dangerous weapon” while committing a crime.
If someone commits a felony while armed with a firearm, this can result in a separate charge, she clarified.
Jayden Herrera, 20, of the 6100 block of North Francisco Avenue, Chicago, was charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with one class four felony count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and one class A misdemeanor count of possession of cannabis.
Adam Duplechin, 18, of the 2600 block of West Berwyn Avenue, Chicago, was also charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with one class A misdemeanor count of possession of cannabis.
A 17-year-old male was referred to juvenile court and later charged with one class four felony count of aggravated possession of a weapon.
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An unidentified male was later released without charges, according to police.
Per the news release, officers responded to a report of several people wearing face masks and hooded sweatshirts near two parked vehicles by a vacant property on the 1100 block of McDaniel Avenue, Evanston, around 7:45 p.m. on April 25.
A caller reported that the individuals were “exchanging items and smoking cannabis,” police said.
Officers located the two vehicles, one of which included five individuals, and conducted an investigation in response to the call for service.
During the investigation, police recovered a number of substances, including cannabis, psilocybin and “suspected controlled substances from backpacks inside the vehicle,” according to the police report.
Officers also recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver from the passenger seat of one vehicle. All five individuals were detained by police and later taken to the police station, per the report.
No illegal items were found in the second vehicle, according to police. The passengers in that car were released at the time of the investigation.
Police later recovered a loaded Heckler & Koch .45-caliber handgun in a concealed pocket inside one of the suspect’s backpacks during a further search at the Evanston police station.
None of the five suspects are currently in custody, according to the news release.
Following his arrest, Kyaw was taken to the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, and appeared before a judge. His next scheduled court appearance is May 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Skokie Courthouse, Room 105.
Duplechin was released from police custody following his arrest, with a citation and notice summons. He is expected to appear in court on May 29, at 10:30 a.m. at the Skokie Courthouse, Room 104.
Herrera was also released from police custody following his arrest, with a citation and notice summons. He was expected to appear in court on April 29 at the Skokie Courthouse.
The vehicle Evanston Police officers inspected during their investigation has been seized and impounded pending a future administrative hearing, according to police.
An arrest does not constitute a conviction.