Articles
Police: Men linked to gang shooting
Publication Northwest Herald
Date April 18, 2006
Section(s) Local News
Page
By REGAN FOSTER
rfoster@nwherald.com
WOODSTOCK - Two men remained in custody on $100,000 bond at the McHenry County Jail on Monday night for what police said was their role in a gang shooting last week.
Police said Manuel J. Banuelos, 21, of 305 Thompson St., Harvard, and Saul Romero Cazares, 19, of 258 Mark Court, Woodstock, fired at least six bullets early Friday at a home at 1388 Wood Drive, which is in a residential neighborhood east of Dean Street and north of Route 14.
A subsequent search of Cazares' home led to a third, unrelated arrest on drug charges.
Banuelos was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and criminal damage to property over $300, all felonies.
Cazares was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, reckless discharge of a firearm, criminal damage to property over $300, aggravated use of a weapon, and possession of a weapon without a firearm owners identification card. Cazares was on parole for aggravated battery in a public place and two counts of mob action, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.
Banuelos and Cazares each could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious offense.
Woodstock Police Sgt. Richard Johns said no one was hurt in the shooting.
"There are others [gang members] that live in that general vicinity," he said, adding that the area was not known for heavy gang activity. "With any criminal activity, we would ask the community to be ever vigilant with groups that are gathering together to let us know.
"To be very proactive is probably the best advice we can give the community."
During a search of Cazares' home, his brother-in-law, Jose Bravo, was arrested on charges that Johns said were unrelated to the shooting. Bravo, 25, of 258 Mark Court, Woodstock, allegedly had about a quarter-pound of cocaine, $3,800, and a handgun in his possession.
McHenry County sheriff's officers charged him with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and possession of a firearm without an owner's card. Bravo was released after posting $10,000 bail.