Two documented gang members are in custody after separate traffic stops allegedly revealed illegal firearms in their vehicles.
In two separate incidents late last week, Aurora officers recovered handguns —one involving an impaired driver with a defaced handgun, and another near a school in which a juvenile fled from a vehicle before being safely taken into custody. Prosecutors have approved multiple felony charges in both cases.
On Thursday, officers stopped a Nissan Rogue after observing stop-sign violations near North Avenue and Jackson Street in Aurora. Officers noted indicators of impairment and asked the driver to exit. As officers moved the driver away from the vehicle, a handgun was observed on the floorboard beneath the driver’s seat. The driver, a 32-year-old documented gang member from Aurora, was placed into custody; two passengers were detained and later released without charges. The firearm was recovered and found to have defaced serial numbers on the slide and barrel.
The suspect has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Street Gang Member in a Vehicle, a Class 2 Felony; Possession of a Weapon by a Person with a Prior Forcible-Felony Conviction, a Class 2 Felony; Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number, a Class 3 Felony; and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon in a Vehicle with Prior Conviction, a Class 2 Felony. He also received traffic citations for DUI (alcohol) and two counts of disobeying a stop sign.
On Saturday, Aurora’s Special Operations Group investigators conducted a traffic stop of a Toyota Camry for illegal window tint. The stop was made at East Benton Street and Jackson Street (near Waldo Middle School). While addressing tobacco violations involving under-21 passengers, a 15-year-old male juvenile fled on foot while clutching his waistband. After a brief foot pursuit, the juvenile, a documented gang member, was safely taken into custody on school property. A Springfield XD-9 handgun loaded with 15 rounds was recovered from the suspect’s pant leg. The adult driver was cited for the tint violation; other juvenile passengers were referred for tobacco violations or released.
The suspect has been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Street Gang Member, a Class 2 Felony; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm within 1,000 Feet of a School, a Class 3 Felony; Possession of a Firearm – Not Eligible for a FOID Card, a Class 3 Felony; Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – three counts, Class 4 Felonies; Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Possession of Tobacco by a Minor, a Class A Misdemeanor.
The suspect was transported to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center, where he will be held pending a detention hearing.
“Our officers continue to demonstrate the kind of proactive work that makes Aurora safer. Taking illegal guns off the street and holding people accountable isn’t just about arrests—it’s about preventing the next tragedy and keeping our neighborhoods safe,” said Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas. “It’s especially concerning when impaired drivers or juveniles are involved; however these cases show why our ongoing focus on enforcement, prevention, and community safety matters.”
