Man arrested at O'Hare with knives and stun gun

CHICAGO -- A 27-year-old Chicago man was questioned by authorities and released from custody early Sunday after he was allegedly found to be carrying seven knives and a stun gun as he was about to board a flight at O'Hare International Airport.

Subash Gurung was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and attempting to board an aircraft with weapons after he was arrested just prior to boarding a United Airlines flight to Omaha, Neb., on Saturday night, said police spokesman Thomas Donegan. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Gurung was questioned by police and the FBI and released at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Donegan said.

Gurung had made it past the security checkpoint at O'Hare but airline employees in the gate area searched his carry-on bag and found the lock-blade knives and the Taser gun, Donegan said. He didn't know why Gurung was headed to Omaha. Gurung told police he's unemployed.

Donegan said the airline employees found the weapons during a "routine" check of passengers' carry-on baggage.

Donegan didn't know what authorities learned during their questioning of Gurung, saying they apparently "didn't have reason to keep him." He said Gurung, a native of Nepal, had no previous arrests in Chicago.

The FBI declined to comment Sunday, directing all questions to police.

United spokesman Joe Hopkins wouldn't say why Gurung was searched, but said it was part of the airline's regular security procedures. He commended the gate agents.

"The United employees did a great job of intercepting this guy with the weapons and preventing him from boarding the flight," Hopkins said.

Gurung is to appear in court Dec. 19.