London Gray, 30, of the 700 block of North Randall Road, Aurora, was convicted late Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a Class 2 felony, unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, a Class 2 felony, and unlawful possession of a defaced firearm, a Class 3 felony.

London Gray. CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page

Gray waived his right to a jury trial.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that about 11 p.m. Sept. 4, 2015, Gray was riding in the left rear passenger seat of a black 2012 Dodge Avenger. Co-defendant Michael A. Morales, 27, of the 400 block of Liberty Street, Aurora, was riding in the car’s right rear passenger seat. Aurora police attempted to stop the car in the vicinity of Hill Avenue and North Ohio Street for a traffic violation.

The car turned into the parking lot of a business in the 1400 block of East New York Street. Before the vehicle came to a stop Gray and Morales opened the rear doors and fled on foot. Gray was seen running from the car holding his right front pants pocket. Morales immediately fell to the ground and a loaded .38 caliber revolver fell from his hand to the ground.

Morales jumped up without the gun and was quickly captured by police. Gray was captured two blocks away. Police found a loaded 9mm handgun that Gray had placed behind a trashcan in the area between the traffic stop and his arrest.

At the time of the incident, Gray and Morales were known members of a street gang. In addition, Gray was convicted in 2005 in Kane County for a 2004 felony home invasion.

Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr. set Gray’s next appearance for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 2016, for sentencing.

In January 2016, Morales was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, each Class 2 felonies, and an unrelated charge of unlawful possession of firearm ammunition by a felon, a Class 2 felony.

Gray remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his arrest in lieu of $125,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

The case was investigated by the Special Operations Group of the Aurora Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Alexander Bederka and Bradley Melzer.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page.