Kane sheriff's officers recognized for shooting probe

Kane County sheriff's deputies got a pat on the back recently for their investigation into a May shooting.

The investigation, which led to three local arrests, landed the department a Task Force Investigation Award from the Chicago Crime Commission at its annual Stars of Distinction ceremony this month.

Sheriff Pat Perez said this is the second time in three years his office has been honored by the nonprofit law enforcement group, which in 2007 applauded a multijurisdictional investigation that led to indictments in 33 Kane County cold-case homicides.

"Just the fact that we've been recognized twice in a three-year span, to me, is just phenomenal and speaks volumes about the people we have working here," Perez said. "This kind of brings it back to reminding everyone just what it is we do and what our function is."

The shooting was reported about 2:20 a.m. May 29 after a 22-year-old California man was found in the middle of Keslinger Road, east of Elburn, with multiple gunshot wounds.

Perez said investigators quickly determined that the victim, who survived, had been "left for dead" by two men who fled in a vehicle. They tracked the vehicle to a home on the 1100 block of Sullivan Road in Aurora, where more than 240 pounds of marijuana and a 9 mm handgun were recovered.

Authorities ended up charging a 27-year-old Aurora man with attempted murder and arresting two others on drug charges. Perez said the suspect in the shooting was believed to have driven the vehicle used to dump the victim near Elburn; the shooter remains at large and may be in California.

Tip line: Huntley police have a new tip line where residents can report criminal or suspicious activity without giving their names.

The line, (847) 515-5333, was launched Nov. 17 and is available 24 hours a day. Callers are sent to a voice mailbox where can leave detailed information about criminal activity, the location of fugitives or suspicious incidents. It's not for emergencies.

Police said callers can leave their names or remain anonymous; the tip line does not have Caller ID.

For more information, visit huntley.il.us/depts/police.asp.

Toys for Tots: Campton Hills police are collecting toys for needy children again this Christmas season as part of the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made during regular business hours through Friday, Dec. 18, at the police station, 40W115 Campton Crossings Drive, or at the Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 office, 1005 Prairie St., St. Charles. Of particular need this year are toys for kids 8 to 14.

For more information, call (630) 584-0330.