Palatine man denies guilt in Carpentersville drive-by

A Palatine man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he opened fire on a rival gang member's home in Carpentersville last fall.

Hugo A. Nolasco, 21, of the 900 block of North Palos Avenue, was arraigned in front of Kane County Judge Thomas E. Mueller. He is charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, Mueller said.

On Nov. 13, Nolasco fired several shots from a moving vehicle at two brothers standing in front of their residence on the 0-100 block of Birch Street, Carpentersville police have said. No one was hurt in the attack, which police said appeared to be retaliation for the brothers throwing rocks or bottles at Nolasco's car earlier in the day. The men belonged to rival street gangs, according to police.

Also charged is Dundee-Crown High School junior Edwin Hernandez, 17, of the 700 block of Lowell Drive, Carpentersville. The accused driver in the shooting, Hernandez is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition without firearm owner identification.

Nolasco and Hernandez remained in the Kane County jail Friday with bail set at $1 million and $250,000, respectively. Nolasco, who wants a jury trial, is due back in court Feb. 11. Hernandez could be arraigned as soon as Feb. 5.