McHenry police make arrest in town's first homicide in 6 years

A man has been arrested in connection with the first homicide to hit McHenry in more than six years.

Victor Bandala-Martinez, 20, of the 1600 block of Park Street in McHenry, has been charged in the Sunday morning stabbing death of 17-year-old Yair J. Cabrera, also of McHenry.

Bandala-Martinez faces charges of first degree murder, aggravated battery and armed violence. He was arrested within hours of Cabrera's death.

Cabrera and the suspect knew each other, according to a news release. The release did not detail the events that led to the stabbing. Police were unable to provide additional information Sunday night.

McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz also could not be reached for comment.

At 2:34 a.m. Sunday, officers from the McHenry Police Department were dispatched to a house in the 1300 block of Front Street, where the stabbing occurred.

Cabrera, of the 3700 block of Grand Avenue, was found inside, bleeding from apparent stab wounds.

He was taken to the Northern Illinois Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m.

Cabrera's slaying marks McHenry's first homicide since June 13, 2002, the release said.

Bandala-Martinez's name came up as a possible suspect after investigators interviewed people who had been at the house before the stabbing.

McHenry police, the coroner's office and the major investigative assistance team, a collection of police agencies, all are investigating the incident.

Bandala-Martinez was taken to the McHenry County jail and is due to appear in court Monday.

He faces at least 20 years in prison if convicted of first degree murder.