Police arrest teens in drive-by shootings

Elgin police arrested two juvenile gang members on weapons charges last week and believe they have solved two drive-by shootings that occurred on the city's east side July 8 and 12.

No one was hit or injured in the shootings last month, Elgin Police Lt. Glenn Theriault said.

Police said in news release Thursday that a gang unit officer spotted two teens near St. Charles Street and Sherman Avenue at about 5:50 p.m. July 28.

Theriault said the pair - both living on Elgin's east side - immediately split up and began walking in different directions.

Police questioned them and found a .22-caliber pistol on the 15-year-old, who later admitted his role in the two incidents.

The July 8 incident occurred at about 10 p.m. near Sherman and Bowen Court, which is a block from where the two teens were arrested.

Police said the 15-year-old admitted to firing shots at a rival gang member's car traveling through the area.

The same boy, police said, also admitted to shooting at rival gang members at 11 p.m. July 12 on Channing Street, close to where it intersects with East Chicago Street.

He was charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, police said.

The 16-year-old was charged with possession of a weapon without a Firearm Owners Identification Card, police said.

Both teens are being held at the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center in St. Charles until a detention hearing later this month.

The most serious charge, aggravated discharge of a firearm, carries a four- to 15-year prison term.

However, defendants in the juvenile system may be released from prison when they turn 21 if the courts believe they have been rehabilitated.