STORY YOUMISSED
A DuPage County judge ordered an 18-year-old North Central College student to remain behind bars while he awaits trial.
Kurtis Cruz of Indiana faces felony charges for allegedly hiding a loaded handgun in his campus dorm room.
His roommate, Diyonnes King of Elgin, also faces felony charges for allegedly selling cannabis on school grounds.
The arrests happened early Saturday morning after campus safety officers noticed a strong smell of marijuana and loud music.
When officers entered the room, they spotted a weapon and a loaded magazine in plain sight.
Naperville police responded to the scene at approximately 1:11 a.m. to take over the investigation.
Inside a black backpack under Cruz’s bed, officers found a Gen. 5 Glock 29 10mm handgun.
The weapon was equipped with an extended magazine holding 26 rounds, including one bullet already in the chamber.
On the other side of the room, police searched a grey backpack belonging to King.
They allegedly discovered 39 bags of cannabis weighing about 136 grams.
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called the presence of a high-capacity weapon on a college campus “very alarming.”
He emphasized that campuses must remain safe spaces for learning rather than zones of fear.
King was released with conditions because his specific charges did not qualify for pre-trial detention under current law.
However, a judge has banned King from entering any North Central College dormitories as a condition of his release.
Cruz remains in custody and is scheduled to appear back in court on March 3, 2026.
Safety in Naperville
Naperville is frequently ranked as one of the safest cities in America.
However, the North Central College area has seen a slight increase in campus-related security alerts over the past year.
In late 2025, Naperville police increased patrols near the downtown campus following a string of vehicle thefts.
Illegal firearm possession on college campuses remains a top priority for DuPage County law enforcement.
This arrest marks the first major weapon recovery in a Naperville dorm room this academic semester.
Residents in the 0-100 block of East 56th Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods have expressed growing concern over weapon accessibility.
Local authorities continue to urge students to use “See Something, Say Something” protocols to prevent campus violence.
