Chicago police say a man is in custody after a tense foot chase near 61st Place and Central Park on Friday, ending with officers recovering a semi-automatic handgun the suspect allegedly ditched while running.
According to police, officers in the area first spotted what looked like a bulge in the man's waistband. When they moved in, he dropped a handgun, then scooped it back up and took off, prompting a chase through the Southwest Side streets. During the pursuit, the man reportedly tossed the weapon. Officers say they recovered the gun after catching up to him and placing him under arrest.
What the 8th District said
According to 8TH District‑Chicago Lawn, officers on patrol near 61st Place and Central Park saw a male with a bulge in his waistband. The post states that he dropped a semi-automatic handgun, then grabbed it and ran as officers gave chase. During the pursuit, he allegedly tossed the firearm, which officers later recovered before placing the offender in custody.
The 8th District station that shared the update serves Chicago Lawn from 3420 W. 63rd St. and regularly posts short on-scene notes and arrest summaries. Contact and station details for the district are listed on the Chicago Police Department - 8th District page.
How this fits locally
Local reports and police posts show this arrest is one of several gun recoveries on the Southwest Side so far this year. In March, shots ring out, cops nab armed felon covered a similar incident in which officers recovered a handgun near 63rd and California and arrested a suspect.
Public crime records for 2026 log incidents across the neighborhoods that make up the 8th District and highlight how often patrols are responsible for these kinds of gun recoveries, according to the City of Chicago dataset. Those numbers are a go-to resource for residents and reporters tracking activity on the Southwest Side.
The department's initial social media post did not list the suspect's name or any charges. Chicago police did not immediately release any further information beyond the brief online notice.
