Elmhurst police arrest felon in possession of loaded handgun: prosecutors

A motion was approved Saturday to deny pre-trial release for a Cook County convicted felon accused of possessing a loaded handgun, prosecutors said.

Davares Kinsey, 33, of the 10200 block of Chaucer Street, Westchester, is charged with one count each of unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor retail theft, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.

The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender replaced the former charge of armed habitual criminal on Jan. 1, according to the release. The penalty, six to 30 years in prison, remain the same, authorities said.

About 2:18 p.m Jan.10, Elmhurst police received information regarding a 2017 black Chrysler Pacifica suspected of being involved in a retail theft. Officers located the unoccupied Chrysler in an Ace Hardware parking lot.

Police saw Kinsey enter the Chrysler, drive to a Jewel grocery store and entered the Jewel. He allegedly selected items from the store but paid for only some of the 14 items at a self-checkout lane, authorities said.

Kinsey exited the store at which time police arrested him. Police searched the Chrysler and located a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P 9 9mm handgun in the center console, which allegedly was reported stolen out of Chicago, according to the release.

“Mr. Kinsey’s multiple felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “Thanks to the Elmhurst Police Department’s vigilance and commitment to public safety, a convicted felon allegedly illegally in possession of a firearm was taken into custody and a stolen firearm was recovered and taken off our streets.”

Kinsey’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 2.