Aurora investigators found a stolen 9mm handgun inside a vehicle Sunday morning, and an 18-year-old Aurora man is now facing gun charges.
Maximo Hernandez, 300 block of Spruce Street, was charged with four counts of felony unlawful use of a weapon around 12:20 a.m. in the parking lot of an Aurora restaurant.
Aurora Police Department spokesman Dan Ferreli said investigators with the department’s Special Operations Group were driving through the lot in the 700 block of North Lake Street when they noticed a vehicle with four men inside.
The investigators shined their lights on the vehicle, and two back-seat passengers attempted to run away, Ferrelli said.
The men were quickly taken into custody by police. Ferrelli said investigators could see alcohol in plain view inside the vehicle, which was then searched.
A loaded 9mm handgun was allegedly found on the seat Maximo had been sitting in.
Ferrelli said the car was towed and impounded. The gun came back stolen out of Ottawa, he said.
A 15-year-old Aurora boy was charged with unlawful contact with a gang member and a curfew violation in the incident.
Two other passengers: Anthony Grant, 19, 1500 block of Galway Drive and Robby Patton, 25, 1800 block of Lilac Lane., were both charged with contributing to the juvenile’s curfew violation. Grant was also charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol, Ferrelli said.