Loaded Handgun Found In Cook County Jail Trash Near New Inmates Area

CHICAGO, IL — Cook County Jail officers discovered a loaded handgun Tuesday morning while emptying the trash near an area where new inmates are dropped off before bond court, the Chicago Tribune reports. The discovery put the jail in lockdown at around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, which extended into the afternoon.

Authorities found the Kel-Tec .32-caliber weapon in the garbage of a section of the jail where new prisoners are brought to for court hearings, the report stated. Cook County Sheriff's Office officials told the Tribune that they believe a defendant stashed the gun in the trash when an outside law enforcement agency was bringing the person to the jail.

According to sheriff's officals, that agency didn't find the weapon on the individual beforehand, the report stated. Authorities believe the person probably ditched the gun in the trash for fear that jail officers would eventually discover it, the report added. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

More via the Chicago Tribune

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