Men deny they tried to rob Vernon Hills grocery

Four men charged with trying to rob the owners of a Vernon Hills grocery store at gunpoint pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Chicago residents Eliu Villicana-Mancilla, 26, his brother Jose Villicana-Mancilla, 23, and Juaquin Lopez, 20, and Christian Martinez-Guerrro, 18, of Wauconda, all face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of attempted armed robbery.

The four, along with Monica Cabral, 19, also of Wauconda, were under police surveillance because of their suspected involvement in a number of crimes against Latino businesses, said Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Demartini.

Police from Lake and McHenry counties and the U.S. Marshal’s Service followed the five to the La Tienda del Pueblo grocery in the 100 block of East Townline Road around 8:30 a.m. on May 12.

Demartini said police first watched as the group began to tie up a woman who owns the store. Then they broke through the door and arrested three of the suspects at the scene.

Two others were caught after a short foot chase, Demartini said. Two handguns were also recovered.

Members of the group have been charged with a pair of robberies in McHenry County, Demartini said, and are believed to be responsible for several other crimes in Lake, McHenry and Boone counties.

All are being held on $1 million bond, and the four suspects arraigned Thursday are scheduled to appear in court again June 15.

Cabral is due to appear in court again July 2.