Gun arrest #18 since August in Naperville Topgolf parking lot – Chicago Tribune

For the 18th time in half as many months, police have arrested a person on firearms charges in the Naperville Topgolf parking lot.

Joshua Passafiume, 25, of Coal City, was arrested Monday evening at the 3211 Odyssey Court office on a charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. His arraignment is scheduled for May 21, according to online DuPage County District Court records.

As with previous arrests, Passafiume was taken into custody as part of a police foot patrol around the Topgolf property.

According to Naperville Police Cmdr. Rick Krakow, officers were walking the area when they allegedly spotted a firearm in a Jeep. When Passafiume and another person returned to the Jeep, they asked them to get out and the firearm they had observed was recovered, he said.

Passafiume was arrested after police confirmed he did not have a concealed carry license, Krakow said.

To legally purchase and carry a firearm in Illinois, two separate credentials are required – a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card and a Concealed Carry License (CCL).

Last month, the Naperville Sun reported that between August 10, 2023 and April 23, 17 people were arrested on gun charges outside the Topgolf facility in Naperville, based on information from the Naperville Police Department, arrest records obtained by a Freedom of DuPage County Information Act Request and Court Records.

Passafiume’s arrest brings the number to 18 in the last nine months.

Authorities have repeatedly noted that it is difficult to speculate about why people bring their firearms to Topgolf in Naperville and leave them in their vehicles.

The facility has improved its security measures. Topgolf previously issued a statement assuring that “the safety of our players and playmakers has always been and will continue to be our top priority.”

“The arrests that occurred in our parking lot are unrelated to Topgolf,” their statement said, “and there have been no incidents at our venue related to these efforts.” We applaud the Naperville Police Department and their ongoing Efforts to keep our community safe continue to be extremely grateful.”

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