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Northbrook, Ill. – U.S. Representative Mark Kirk, federal and local law enforcement officials today announced Lake County’s “Top 10 Most Wanted Gang Members,” a multi-agency initiative to help combat over 2,000 gang members operating north of Lake-Cook Road. Congressman Kirk was joined by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent-in-Charge Andy Traver, Lake County Sheriff Deputy Chief Kevin Parker, North Chicago Police Chief Michael Newsome, Mundelein Police Chief Raymond Rose, Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Artis Yancey, Highland Park Deputy Police Chief David Schwarz and representatives from the Gurnee and Deerfield police departments.
“Over the last 20 years, Lake County’s population grew by more than 50 percent,” Congressman Kirk said. “But as our numbers increased, so did gang activity. Many gangs relocated from Chicago to the suburbs. We are seeing drug dealing near our schools and children as young as seventh graders committing gang-related crimes. With backing from Congress, the ATF, Sheriff Curran’s office and local police departments are stepping up to meet the drug gang threat. Congress allocated additional resources to back efforts like the Top 10 list. Nailing these career criminals will keep our kids safer.”
The most wanted gang member in Lake County is Mr. Jose Pedro Delgado. Delgado is a leader of the “Latin Lovers” gang in Waukegan and is wanted for the murder of Jesus Montes-DeOca, 18, of Waukegan. Montes-DeOca was gunned down on his way to the gym on Oct. 19, 2003. Police believe Delgado was aiming for an individual walking next to Montes-DeOca.
In total, Lake County’s “Top Ten” are charged with more than 15 felonies including murder, carjacking, selling drugs near school, attacking police officers and aggravated battery with a firearm.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department will host the Top 10 list on its Web site. As gang members are arrested, new criminals will take their place. If any wanted criminals are seen the public is urged to contact their local police department or the Lake County’s Sheriff’s Department. Members of the public should not approach the gang members.
Recent figures from the State of Illinois show a 3.1 percent increase in serious crime in Lake County from 2005 to 2006. 15,681 incidents were reported in 2006. Meanwhile there was a 1.7 percent drop in statewide violent and property crimes in the same period.
Last month, Congressman Kirk announced an $846,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant that he secured for a new Northern Illinois Gang Taskforce to coordinate federal and local law enforcement agencies to combat violent drug gangs operating out of Waukegan. The new taskforce allows local law enforcement to pursue federal prosecution and longer sentencing. Facing 20 years in federal prison (no parole) instead of less than five in state prison, low-level gang members are now more likely to turn against their gangs, helping the Taskforce.
Last year, ATF, the Lake County State’s Attorney Office and the Waukegan Police Department announced the conclusion of Operation “Smack That,” targeting the heroin drug ring of the Black P-Stones operating in Waukegan, North Chicago and Zion. The Black P-Stones operated a sophisticated drug operation, including selling drugs near Waukegan public schools and churches. The work of the ATF and Waukegan’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) resulted in nine indictments and the seizure of $19,000 worth of heroin, firearms and body armor.
Lake County’s Top 10 Most Wanted Gang Members
1
Name: Jose Pedro Delgado
Date of Birth: 5/14/1978
Gang: Latin Lovers
Charges: First Degree Murder
Last Known Location: 1505 Hickory, Waukegan, IL
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’06”
Weight: 135
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
2
Name: Edward Perez
Date of Birth: 11/30/1987
Gang: Latin Kings
Charges: First Degree Murder
Last Known Location: 17865 W. Elsbury Ct., Gurnee, IL
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 165
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
3
Name: Arturo Hernandez
Date of Birth: 3/5/1984
Gang: Latin Kings
Charges: Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
Last Known Location: 1213 Wadsworth, North Chicago, IL
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
4
Name: Alejandro Ramirez
Date of Birth: 3/10/1980
Gang: Latin Kings
Charges: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Last Known Location: 413 Bonniebrook, Mundelein, IL
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’09”
Weight: 150
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
5
Name: Shariff Bryant
Date of Birth: 1/25/1983
Gang: Gangster Disciples
Charges: Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
Last Known Location: 1600 13th Street, North Chicago, IL
Race: Black
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 180
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
6
Name: Derek Gordon
Known Alias: “D”
Date of Birth: 1/16/1979
Gang: Four Corner Hustlers
Charges: Unauthorized Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unauthorized Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unauthorized Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000’ of a School
Last Known Location: 516 S. Martin Luther King, Waukegan, IL
Race: Black
Height: 6’01”
Weight: 275
Hair: Black/Bald
Eyes: Brown
Notes: Tattoos on Left Arm
7
Name: Fabian Vargas
Date of Birth: 8/18/1986
Gang: Latin Kings
Charges: Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
Last Known Location: 119 S. St. James, Waukegan
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’07”
Weight: 140
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
8
Name: Fabian Melendez
Date of Birth: 7/25/86
Gang: Satan Disciples
Charges: Aggravated Unauthorized Use of a Weapon
Last Known Location: 1531 Hickory, Waukegan, IL
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 205
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
9
Name: William Earl Gist
Date of Birth: 1/11/1982
Gang: Majestics
Charges: Aggravated Battery/Great Bodily Harm
Last Known Location: 38158 N. Lincoln, Beach Park, IL
Race: Black
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 145
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
10
Name: Cordale Handy
Date of Birth: 7/7/1987
Gang: Four Corner Hustlers
Charges: Vehicle Highjacking
Last Known Location: 2705 Lydia Street, Waukegan, IL
Race: Black
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 165
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Notes: Tattoos on Right and Left Arms
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