5 arrested, 1 at large in Aurora drug, gun sting
An Aurora police investigation led to felony drug and gun charges against six men, one who remains at large, officials said.
During an eight-month undercover investigation by the Aurora Police Department and FBI, officers recorded a number of drug and weapon sales in Aurora, Montgomery and North Aurora, police said.
Five of the men were arrested June 8, according post on the Aurora Police Department's Facebook. Police have not located the sixth man, but officials believe he is still in the area, Aurora Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said.
"We were able to secure a lot of charges against, quite frankly, some very dangerous men," Ferrelli said.
Most of the men have criminal histories involving drugs, weapons, and other violent crimes, the post said. About half the men have connections to an Aurora street gang, Ferrelli said.
Although police have not ruled out the possibility of more charges, the arrests will at least temporarily slow the circulation of cocaine, heroin, and drug-related gang violence in the area, Ferrelli said.
The investigation yielded 61 grams of cocaine, 11 grams of heroin, and one .270 caliber rifle with 19 rounds of ammunition, police said. The drugs' total estimated street value was not immediately available.
Those arrested June 8 include Paul Woodard, 40, of the 1100 block of Fenton Street, Aurora, who was charged with two felony counts of being an armed habitual criminal, one felony count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, and one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm. Woodard was on parole at the time of his arrest, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest again if he posts bail, police said. He remained at the Kane County jail Wednesday on a $500,000 bond.
Also arrested is Randy Stewart, 47, of the 1100 block of New Castle Lane, Aurora, who was charged with four felony counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and an additional four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Stewart, who was on federal probation when he was arrested, is being held in Kane County on a $250,000 bond.
The other three men in custody are each charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance: Anthony S. Birks, 55, of the 900 block of Fulton Street, Aurora, and Kevin Thompson, 34, of the 1100 block of Lorlyn Circle, Batavia. Both men remained at the Kane County jail Wednesday. Birks' bond has been set at $450,000 and Thompson's at $250,000, police said.
Also charged in connection with the investigation is Ronald Burt, 47, of the 1100 block of Bonner Avenue, Aurora. Burt's bail information was not immediately available.
Police continue to search for Raymond Johnson, 36, of the 1100 block of Fenton Street, Aurora. He is wanted on charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school or park and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.
Johnson is described as black, 6-feet-3-inches tall, weighing about 280 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, police said.
Investigators have asked anyone with information about Johnson's whereabouts call 911 or the Aurora Police Special Operations Group Investigators at (630) 256-5600.
The investigation is ongoing.
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