Sugar Grove man who shot signs faces new gun charge
A Sugar Grove man who received probation in 2011 for shooting rural street signs in Sugar Grove Township is in trouble again on a weapons charge.
Gabriel Carpenter, 27, of the 0-99 block of Heaton Court, was charged Sept. 24 with felony possession of a firearm while his Firearm Owner’s Identification card was revoked, according to Kane County court records.
Carpenter is accused of pulling a gun after getting into a scuffle in the 400 block of Blackhawk Street in Aurora.
The gun went off during the fight, but no one was injured. Police said they found the firearm in a neighboring yard, along with a magazine and spent shell casing.
Carpenter has been released from jail after posting $4,000 bond and is due in court Wednesday. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison on the new charge, with probation an option.
Prosecutors also are arguing Carpenter violated the probation he received two years ago. Carpenter was charged in June 2010 with reckless discharge of a firearm and damage to property, according to court records. He eventually pleaded guilty to reduced misdemeanor charges, got 20 days of electronic home monitoring, 230 hours of community service and a $3,410 fine.
Authorities at the time said Carpenter was shooting road signs and construction equipment near an industrial park “for kicks.”
If a judge determines Carpenter violated his probation, he could be resentenced to up to a year in jail. He is next due in court on the probation case Nov. 14. Defense attorney Liam Dixon could not be reached for comment.
Police land free ATV: The North Aurora Police Department recently added a small all-terrain vehicle to its fleet through a military surplus program.
The John Deere Gator HPX is equipped with 4-wheel drive, 2 seats, and a roll cage was obtained for free from the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Law Enforcement Support Office. The office transfers excess U.S. Department of Defense equipment to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to help them improve their capabilities and expand patrol coverage, police said.
Police say they will use the Gator for special events, such as North Aurora Days, off-road search duties such as missing person cases, and for better access to the Fox River Trail.
Eat, drink for Special Olympics: Batavia Police will host a benefit for the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the TGI Friday’s, 490 N. Randall Road, Batavia. Officers will help serve meals at the restaurant, which will donate a portion of its proceeds to the Illinois Special Olympics.