THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008

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Arrest Made In Apparent Gang Shooting

Wheeling police made an arrest on Thursday, Apr. 10 in conjunction with reports of a "shots fired" incident that occurred on Tuesday, Mar. 25 in the area of Elmhurst and McHenry roads.

According to police, Joe Ybarra, 20, of the 800 block of Valley Stream Drive in Wheeling, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Police said as a result of the joint efforts of the Investigations and Patrol Division, Ybarra was arrested without incident. Police also recovered the 9-milimeter automatic handgun he allegedly used in the shooting.

Based on interviews with several witnesses and the intended victims, the investigation revealed this was a gang-related shooting, in which Ybarra allegedly fired the handgun 3-4 times towards several alleged rival gang members who allegedly taunted him, police said.

Ybarra appeared in a Rolling Meadows court where his bond was set at $300,000. His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 9 a.m.