Ex-Bolingbrook resident arrested in Mexico for gang activity

A known gang leader was arrested in Tamazula, Mexico, following an international manhunt, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday morning.

Vicente Garcia, 30, formerly of 556 Emerson Circle in Bolingbrook, was turned over to federal authorities in Texas on Dec. 20, FBI officials announced. He remains in a Houston jail awaiting extradition back to Chicago.

When extradition is approved, Garcia will be officially charged by the FBI and Chicago Police.

But, previous to his capture, Garcia was wanted for violations against federal drugs and firearm laws, officials with the FBI said.

Garcia is alleged by the FBI to be the Supreme Regional Officer for the Chicago faction of Latin Kings street gang. He is charged with overseeing the distribution of cocaine and firearms at various locations throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Garcia was also among 40 gang members charged as the result of an investigation code named "Operation Pesadilla." The sting operation targeted the leadership of the notorious street gang.

Garcia and four others from the street gang avoided capture last September. The remaining four are still at-large.

Officials said Garcia was arrested late December in the City of Tamazula, State of Jalisco, by members of the Secretariat of Public Safety for the City of Tamazula (Secretario de Seguridad Publica). They acted on information that traced Garcia's whereabouts to Tamazula.

"Numerous fugitives wanted for serious offenses have recently been apprehended by law enforcement agents in Mexico," said Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI. "Without their efforts, many cases, most involving armed and dangerous offenders, would have gone unresolved."