The arrests unfolded within roughly an hour on Nov. 2, all along the 95th Street corridor of the Red Line.

The first came around 4:20 p.m. at the 69th Street platform, where officers took Joseph Tillman, 42, into custody for disorderly conduct after he was reportedly playing a portable speaker. A search turned up suspected crack cocaine and a loaded gun, police said.

Tillman was charged with possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance. He will remain in Cook County Jail.

About 35 minutes later, at the 95th Street platform, officers arrested Brandon Brown, 25, for smoking a cigarette. A search allegedly found a loaded gun, ecstasy and brass knuckles. Police said Brown did not have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card.

Brown faces charges of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance.

At about 5:25 p.m., deputies at the 79th Street stop arrested George Sales, 32, for disorderly conduct after he was seen smoking a cigarette. A search allegedly recovered a loaded gun, and officers learned Sales had a revoked FOID card.

The State's Attorney's Office charged Sales with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. He will also remain in Cook County Jail.

The arrests highlight the persistent challenge of keeping weapons off the region's busiest transit system, where riders and advocates have pressed for stronger safety measures. Illinois requires a valid FOID card to legally possess firearms, and carrying a loaded weapon on CTA property is prohibited under state law.

All three cases are pending in Cook County court.