Aurora brothers charged in murder
A 23-year-old Aurora man whose body was found under a bridge had tried to steal a pound of marijuana before being shot to death by one of his drug dealers, police said Friday.
Two brothers, Edgar, 19, and Jaime Castro, 21, both of the 0-100 block of Hickory Avenue in Aurora, have been charged with first-degree murder.
The body of the victim, Julio Gurrola of the 900 block of Superior Street, was found about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday under the High Street bridge on the city's near east side.
Gurrola's accomplice, Jesus Murguia, 25, of the 500 block of Pierce Street, along with Jaime Castro, also are charged with concealing a homicide, police said.
The Kane County state's attorney's office approved the charges late Thursday.
Gurrola and Murguia had arranged a drug deal with the Castro brothers at their Hickory Avenue home, Aurora authorities said.
But Gurrola and Murguia instead decided to take the marijuana without paying, police said. Gurrola pulled out a handgun in the attempted robbery, but Edgar Castro shot him first, police said.
During the shootout, Gurrola was hit three times, and Edgar Castro was hit once in the back.
Murguia tried to escape but was stopped by Jaime Castro, police said. The brothers forced him to dump his friend's body under the bridge, police said.
Jaime Castro helped transport it, police said. He was taken into custody at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Edgar Castro went to an Aurora hospital just before 6 p.m. and was questioned after his release. He turned himself in on Thursday, police said.
Bond for the Castro brothers was set this morning at $2 million each. Bond for Murguia is $40,000.
The three are next scheduled to be in court Dec. 21 at the Kane County Judicial Center.
Aurora Police Chief William Powell said dumped body cases are among the hardest ones to solve.
"There's only one reason this homicide was solved so quickly," he said. "That is due to the tenacity and teamwork of every officer and investigator involved. Had it not been for their exemplary action, this case could have lasted an extended period of time."