Mixed results in Elgin love triangle murder case
Prosecutors dropped felony obstruction of justice charges Friday against a 20-year-old woman who witnessed a 2010 murder in Elgin and who — if the gunman is ever caught — likely will testify against him.
Alexis I. Cruz faced up to three years in prison for giving police misleading information about the murder of Hugo Navarro on Feb. 4, 2010, on the city’s west side.
Amilkar Antonio Caro, 33, of Elgin faces a charge of first-degree murder alleging he gunned down Navarro, 29, in a love triangle turned deadly.
Caro is accused of shooting Navarro while he was with Cruz in the 700 block of Adams Street. Despite being profiled on “America’s Most Wanted,” Caro still is on the run.
“We’re proud that the government did the right thing and dismissed her case,” said Cruz’s defense attorney, Patrick Crimmins, adding that his client would “be available if called” to testify against Caro.
While Caro remains at large, prosecutors did secure a conviction against the man who drove Caro to the scene.
Rogelio Leon-Rodriguez, 20, of Elgin, pleaded guilty on Aug. 31 to one count of armed violence and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. He can have his sentence halved for good behavior.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Greg Sams said Leon-Rodriguez claimed that Caro pulled a gun on him and forced him to drive to shoot Navarro. But Sams added that coercion is not a legal defense in a murder case.
“(Leon-Rodriguez) was the driver of the van,” Sams said. “We’re still looking for the guy who actually pulled the trigger.”
Sams declined to comment on Cruz’s case.
People with tips about Caro may call Elgin Police anonymously at (847) 289-2700.