Story posted Friday, March 12, 2010
Alleged Gang Members Tracked Down In Forest Preserve
Bond was set on Friday, Mar. 12 for two members of the Sureno 13 street gang who were arrested with another Sureno gang member after a police helicopter pilot located one suspect stuck in a marsh and another hiding under a log near Palatine this week.
Neighborhood complaints about increased gang activity in the Arlington Hts. area led Cook County Sheriff's Police to increase their presence in the area of Rte. 53 and Lake Cook Road, near the border of Arlington Hts., Palatine and Long Grove.
Police were told to expect criminal activity related to gang violence in that area. Around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 10, Sheriff's Police officers conducting surveillance noticed three men leave an apartment and enter an SUV, two allegedly carrying shotguns.
According to Sheriff's Police, as the suspects drove away, an attempt was made to stop them at Wilke and Dundee roads near Palatine and Arlington Hts.
Authorities said the driver would not stop and police chased them to Lake Cook and Hicks roads on the border of Palatine and Long Grove, where the suspects reportedly stopped and fled their vehicle on foot.
The driver was immediately captured by police without incident, but two passengers fled into the woods, one carrying a shotgun with him, police said.
Officers from multiple police agencies and the Cook County Sheriff's helicopter established a perimeter around the woods and K-9 units were called in to assist in the search.
Using thermal imaging devices, Sheriff's Police in the helicopter were able to spot one offender allegedly lying in a marsh. Shining a spotlight on the offender, they noticed he was under six to 12 inches of water, motionless, with only his face above water. Using loudspeakers, officers on the perimeter warned the suspect to put his hands up, but he did not move.
As police approached him on foot, the suspect stated he was unable to move his body because he was stuck in the marsh.
By 2 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 11, weather conditions did not permit the helicopter unit to continue flight, so Sheriff's Police Officer Jim Pacetti and his bloodhound, Melanie, were called in for tracking.
Melanie sniffed the seat where the third suspect had been sitting in the vehicle and led officers about a mile into the woods and through marshes to the suspect, who was reportedly hiding under a log.
One shotgun was recovered from the SUV and another was found in the woods a short distance away from the suspect hiding under the log, police said.
Police said Hiram Chavez, 36, of the 2200 block of W. Nichols in Arlington Hts., was the driver of the SUV. He is charged with fleeing and eluding---a misdemeanor.
Victor Lujano, 27, of the 300 block of Salem Rd. in Arlington Hts., was captured after getting stuck in the marsh. Police said he was seen by officers with a shotgun and is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
According to Sheriff's Police, they have had several encounters with Lujano and he has been warned numerous times to stay out of private apartment complexes in the area. His bond was set at $60,000.
Jorge Gonzalez-Macedonio, 31, with an unknown address, was captured by the K-9 unit while allegedly hiding under a log. He is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
According to police, Gonzalez-Macedonio told authorities he has previously been arrested on felony charges and was previously turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and deported to Mexico. His bond was set at $50,000.
All three are admitted members of the Sureno 13 street gang, police said.
Lujano and Gonzalez-Macedonio remain in Cook County jail. All three are expected to appear in a Rolling Meadows courtroom in April.
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