Man Charged With Leaving Loaded Gun Near Wheaton School
WHEATON, Ill. (STMW) - A 26-year-old Wheaton man has been arrested in connection to the loaded gun that was found last week on the grounds of an elementary school in the western suburb.
A citizen found the loaded firearm at 8:30 a.m. last Wednesday on the property of Madison School at 16209 Mayo Ave. in Wheaton, a release from Wheaton police said. The 9mm semi-automatic pistol was loaded and lying next to a dog leash along a dirt walking trail.
The weapon was found on the far south side of the school property, approximately 75 years from the building, the release said. It was discovered before the school day started.
Officers and detectives from the Wheaton Police Dept. checked inside and outside the school and found no additional weapons, the release said. Students began arriving for the school day and officers stayed on campus. There was immediate threat to the safety of the students, police said.
With help from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Wheaton police detectives were successfully traced the ownership of the loaded weapon to 26-year-old Brent T. Smith of Wheaton, a release on Tuesday from Wheaton police said.
On Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued in DuPage County court and Smith later turned himself in at the Wheaton Police Station. He was booked on one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and was released after he posted $2,500 for his bond.
Police did not immediately release any additional details on the case Tuesday.
