Prairie State Wire

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Aurora Chief of Police Keith Cross announced today an Aurora man and a sixteen-year-old male juvenile, also from Aurora, each appeared in court today charged with illegally possessing a gun while at the Fox Valley Mall. Alim Hartline, 18 (d.o.b. 12/11/2004) of the 2100 block of Sheffer Road, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Margaret O’Connell set bond at $80,000 with 10% to apply. Hartline is charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – No FOID, No CCL (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number (Class 3 Felony). The juvenile appeared at a detention hearing this morning where Judge Anthony Coco ordered that he be released to the custody of his parents on home detention. He is charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony.

On March 13, 2023, officers with the Aurora Police Department responded to a report of two individuals, later identified as Hartline and the juvenile, who were allegedly in possession of firearms while at the Fox Valley Mall. Upon their arrival, officers were able to locate the two individuals at which time it is alleged that both individuals ran from officers. It is alleged as Hartline fled, he dropped a firearm, a fully loaded Taurus 9 mm with one bullet in the chamber and a defaced serial number, before being apprehended. Authorities located the juvenile a short time later hiding in a nearby port-o-potty. When processing the scene, approximately fifty yards away from where the juvenile was found, officers found a fully loaded Glock 23, 40 caliber weapon with one bullet in the chamber.  

“Neither of the two individuals charged in this case are legally allowed to own a weapon, let alone carry one on their person in public,” Berlin said. “I commend the Aurora Police Department not only for their quick identification and apprehension of the defendants in this case, but also for their ongoing efforts in keeping guns out of the hands of those who are not legally allowed to possess them. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sara Henley, Nick Catizone and Kelly McKay for their efforts securing charges in this matter.”

“This is a prime example of intelligence-led policing,” Cross said. “It further illustrates how our officers effectively and efficiently share information and work together to make our community a safer place. Through effective communication, collaboration, and decisive action, they were able to safely apprehend the offenders and take two dangerous weapons off the streets.”

Hartline’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 10, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell. The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 3, 2023, in front of Judge Coco.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Original source can be found here.