22 arrests made in area gang sweep

Federal immigration authorities have arrested 22 purported gang members in Glendale Heights, Joliet, Bolingbrook and Melrose Park as part of a five-day operation that began Sunday.

The local sweep was part of a national initiative to target transnational gang members by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit.

Officials say the 22 men arrested this week are documented members or associates of the Vice Lords, Latin Kings, Latin P-Stones, Two-Sixers and Sureño 13s.

Authorities said those arrested have criminal histories, including arrests or convictions for: aggravated battery to a peace officer, armed robbery, burglary, criminal damage to property, domestic battery, drunken driving, mob action, possessing marijuana with intent to deliver, residential burglary, unlawfully possessing a weapon by a felon, and unlawfully using a weapon.

Of the 22 men arrested, 18 are from Mexico, two are from Guatemala, and one is from Ghana.

Two had been previously deported to Mexico — one of which could face prosecution for illegally re-entering the United States after being deported.

Those arrested range in age from 18 to 40.

They are being held on administrative immigration charges, pending deportation. Their names were not released.

As part of the initiative, called Operation Community Shield, federal authorities work with local law enforcement agencies to conduct the arrests. In the latest effort, ICE was assisted by police departments in Glendale Heights, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Montgomery and Melrose Park.