Judge increases bail in Elgin kidnapping, cigarette torture case
Citing another felony arrest and a lack of supervision, a judge Thursday increased bail to $300,000 for an 18-year-old who authorities say masterminded a scheme to kidnap, beat and torture a teen in Elgin earlier this year.
Luis M. Palomar of Lake in the Hills is one of four people charged with felony home invasion, kidnapping and battery stemming from a Feb. 27 attack on Palomar's ex-girlfriend, according to police and court records.
Palomar and the others are accused of abducting the 19-year-old the night of Feb. 26 from the 500 block of Levine Court, forcing her to strip naked while she was beaten, and torturing her by burning a tattoo on her shoulder with lit cigarettes. The ordeal lasted until someone called police to report a girl being held against her will at a residence on the 300 block of Raymond Street the next morning.
In subsequent days, police arrested Megan A. Lino, 20, of Carpentersville and Ruby M. Gomez, 20, and Kassandra Delgado, 21, both of Elgin.
Palomar was arrested March 22 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and held at the Los Angeles County jail until his extradition to Kane County April 15.
He was free after posting $20,000 of $200,000 bail in late April but arrested on felony burglary charges that he stole a pair of sunglasses out of a BMW on the 100 block of Tay River Drive Aug. 9 in Carpentersville.
That arrest, coupled with Palomar's failure to phone or text his court services officer the weeks of June 12 through June 18 and July 31 through Aug. 6, which was a requirement of his bond, prompted prosecutors to ask Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson to increase his bail or revoke it.
"The new alleged (burglary) offense happened at 4 o'clock in the morning," Abrahamson said, noting that because Palomar lives in McHenry County and not Kane County the court can't put him on electronic home monitoring. "We can't supervise this young man to the extent that I think he should be supervised."
Palomar was taken away in handcuffs after his bail was increased; he must post an additional $10,000 to be released while the case is pending.
Lino is due in court Sept. 30 and was being held at the Kane County jail on $150,000 bail. Delgado has a Sept. 15 court date and was being held on $175,750 bail. Gomez is due in court Sept. 23 and was being held on $350,000 bail.
If convicted of the most severe charges, each defendant faces six to 30 years in prison with no chance of probation. Palomar is next due in court Sept. 15.
Palomar also faces a punishment ranging from probation to up to seven years in prison on the burglary charge.