23-year sentence for kidnapping

A Schiller Park man Friday pleaded guilty to his role in the kidnapping of six people who were tortured at a Carpentersville house after they were taken at gunpoint from a Round Lake Beach restaurant.

In exchange for a 23-year sentence, 30-year-old Ruben Vargas pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted aggravated kidnapping in the drug-related abductions on Aug. 19, 2006, at the Villa's restaurant.

He is the fifth of seven reputed street gang members who've pleaded guilty in the abduction, which ended in a police raid at the home on the 100 block of Tee Road in Carpentersville.

Jody Gleason, a Kane County assistant state's attorney, credited police with saving the hostages and the detective work needed to file charges against the gang.

Another man accused of orchestrating the crime was sentenced earlier this year on federal drug charges.

The kidnappers mistakenly though Villa's was a cover for a stash of cocaine and cash hidden inside, according to court documents.

Armed with pistols, duct tape and plastic cable ties, masked men stormed the restaurant and took hostages when they couldn't find what they were looking for.

The captives -- a family of four, a cook and a customer -- were taken to a Tee Road home, where they were beaten, burned with cigarettes and threatened with rape until police arrived.

Vargas must serve at least half his sentence before he is eligible for parole. He also will receive credit for more than a year in the county jail, said Gleason.

Antonio "Goofy" Torres, who authorities allege was the ringleader, is serving a 25-year stint in a federal prison on drug offenses but still faces charges in the kidnapping.

Another suspect, Sergio Martinez of Carpentersville, also is awaiting trial and is due in court again Thursday.