West Chicago man charged with attempted murder in Elgin hit-and-run attack

A West Chicago man was charged with attempted murder Saturday after Elgin police said he drove over a Rosemont man, breaking his leg, in a gang-related attack last weekend in Elgin.

Officers from Elgin’s gang unit and members of the Illinois Department of Corrections Apprehension Unit arrested Francisco Suarez, 22, of West Chicago, Friday morning at the home of a relative in West Chicago, Elgin police spokeswoman Sue Olafson said. Police said he was a known gang member who intentionally drove over Alfredo Robelo, 21, of Rosemont.

Robelo was walking about 4:30 p.m. April 23 in the area of Prospect and Seneca streets with a friend when Suarez ran over him with his 1996 Chevy Tahoe, police said.

Robelo, who police said was a member of a rival gang, was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin and was treated for a broken leg and bruises. He has been released from the hospital and is receiving ongoing medical treatment for his injuries, police said.

Suarez has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Suarez’s bond was set at $500,000, and he is being held in Kane County jail, Olafson said. He is due in court May 11.

If convicted, Suarez faces up to 30 years in prison on the attempted first degree murder charge, a Class X felony.