COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An armed man fleeing police in Beverly live-tweeted the chase — going as far as posting a photo of his hiding spot, authorities said.
Officers soon found Brandon McNeil, 21, camped out in a woman's basement with two illegal guns, including a revolver with a defaced serial number, court records show.
McNeil told police, "Yeah, that's my gun. Let's go. Take to me jail," according to an arrest report.
Officers had been called to the 10200 block of South Prospect Avenue — near Graver Park — about 3 p.m. Wednesday after several 911 callers reported shots fired, police and prosecutors said.
The officers saw McNeil get out of a maroon 2014 Nissan Altima and begin running away holding his side, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing last week.
McNeil ran into a nearby home, police said, and officers on the scene soon learned he was live-tweeting the chase, posting a Tweet that said, "lol look I just left the police they lookin fa me."
McNeil also posted a photo of a gun, records show, with the words "I hid the pole, here's my hiding spot." Tweets from McNeil's handle are now protected and could not be shared.
Police contacted the homeowner of the house McNeil had run into, officers said, and learned the woman never gave McNeil permission to be inside her home.
Officers searched the house and found McNeil and the defaced revolver in the basement, police said. They also found hidden in the ceiling "in plain view" the .38 caliber handgun McNeil had posted on Twitter, the arrest report said.
McNeil, of the 1400 block of West 100th Place, is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number and criminal trespass. He does not have an Firearm Owner's ID card or concealed-carry license.
According to Scaduto, McNeil was previously convicted of assault in DeKalb County.
Cook County Judge James Brown on Friday set bail at $50,000.
At a recent CAPS meeting for beats 2211 and 2212, an officer said there have been multiple calls of shots fired near Graver Park in the last few weeks. While there are cameras at the park, the officer said, they were blocked by trees and shrubs. The city's department of forestry has been tasked with trimming the trees.
Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) in an email to constituents said police also recovered a replica gun and fraudulent credit cards while arresting McNeil. Court records show there was printer paper used to make checks inside the Nissan Altima.
"Moving forward, I will continue to work with local law enforcement to maintain the safety of our community," O'Shea said. "All residents are reminded to always call 911 to report suspicious behavior. When in doubt, always call to make a report, you are not bothering the police."
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