Two more alleged gang members charged
By Janelle Walker For The Courier-News February 20, 2012 5:00PM
Fabian Pena
Updated: March 28, 2012 10:19PM
ELGIN — Two more alleged Latin Kings have been arrested as a result of the civil-court order barring members of that gang from associating with each other.
Police Lt. Glenn Theriault said that shortly before 11 p.m. Friday members of the Elgin Police Department’s Unit for Special Assignment (USA Team) and Gang Unit observed three people loitering in the area of Bent and Grace streets. Police said two of them, 19-year-old Fabian Pena of the 1300 block of Todd Farm Drive, Elgin, and 19-year-old Edgar Maldonado of the 300 block of Gertrude Street, Elgin, are known Latin King gang members. Furthermore they are prohibited from associating with known Latin King members.
Upon observing the officers, the lieutenant said, Pena fled on foot but was soon found hiding in the backyard of a house in the 500 block of Raymond Street. He was taken into custody on charges of violating the court order and obstructing a police officer. Maldonado was arrested at the scene without incident and charged with violating the court order. Both subjects are scheduled to appear in Elgin Branch Court on March 16.
The civil-court case against the Latin Kings was initiated in late 2010 by the Elgin Police Department Gang Unit and the Kane County state’s attorney’s office to combat gangs using the 1993 Illinois Street Gang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act. The law says gang members cannot hang around with other known gang members. The purpose is to decrease the likelihood of gang violence and criminal activity.
“This is yet another example of the diligence with which we will pursue gang crime, using all available tools in an attempt to prevent further incidents from occurring,” said Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda.
Two other alleged members were arrested after a traffic stop along McLean Boulevard a week ago.
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