Armed Suspect Arrested for Trying to Break Into Cars in Evanston

Police apprehended the 21-year-old man after a resident reported suspicious activity in an alleyway.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Police in Evanston, Illinois arrested a 21-year-old man named Jonathan Curtis after receiving a report of a suspicious person attempting to open car doors in an alleyway. When officers located Curtis and conducted a pat-down, he resisted, and police discovered he was carrying a loaded .45 caliber Glock handgun without a valid Firearm Owner Identification card or Concealed Carry License. Curtis was on parole and wearing a court-ordered GPS monitoring device at the time of the incident.

Why it matters

This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing property crimes and illegal firearm possession, especially among repeat offenders on parole. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of GPS monitoring and the need for stronger gun control measures to keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from possessing them.

The details

According to police, a local resident reported seeing a man, later identified as Jonathan Curtis, pulling on car door handles and looking around suspiciously in an alleyway in the 700 block of Hinman Avenue in Evanston. When officers located Curtis in the area and attempted to conduct a pat-down, he resisted. Additional officers were called, and they observed a loaded .45 caliber Glock handgun sticking out of Curtis' waistband. A records check revealed that Curtis did not have a valid Firearm Owner Identification card or Concealed Carry License, and he was on parole at the time, wearing a court-ordered GPS monitoring device.

  • On February 24, 2026, police received a report of a suspicious person in an Evanston alleyway.
  • On February 24, 2026, police located and arrested Jonathan Curtis.

The players

Jonathan Curtis

A 21-year-old man from Skokie, Illinois who was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

Evanston Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the report of suspicious activity, located and arrested Jonathan Curtis, and charged him with a felony.

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What they’re saying

“During the encounter, he did not follow instructions about where to place his hands so the pat-down could be completed safely.”

— Evanston Police Department (Patch.com)

What’s next

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office has approved a felony charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon against Jonathan Curtis. The Illinois Department of Corrections has also issued a parole violation warrant.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing illegal firearm possession, especially among repeat offenders on parole. It highlights the need for stronger gun control measures and more effective monitoring and support systems for those on parole to prevent such incidents and improve public safety.