Des Plaines police: Four arrested on weapons charges

Four gang members were arrested on weapons charges following the investigation of last week's armed robbery of a taxi driver in Des Plaines.

Jesus S. Murrillo, 21, of the 1300 block of East Fargo Drive in Des Plaines, was arrested and charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery, police said. Murrillo got into a cab around 8:20 p.m. Jan. 28 outside a fast-food restaurant on the 3600 block of South Mannheim Road and asked for a ride to near Howard Avenue and Maple Street in Des Plaines, police said.

When the cab stopped, Murrillo pointed a gun at the 45-year-old driver's head, and demanded money, police said. Murrillo told the driver there were two bullets inside the gun, police said. Murrillo ordered the driver to exit the car and to lie on the ground, police said, adding that Murrillo also struck the driver with the butt of the gun. He fled with $200, police said.

The driver eventually drove himself to Glen Oaks Hospital in Glendale Heights for treatment of several cuts to his head.

The gun was recovered, police said. During the course of the investigation, three of Murrillo's fellow gang members were arrested in a separate matter, Des Plaines Deputy Police Chief Richard Rozkuszka said. He declined to give further details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Agustin Velazquez, of the 200 block of Comstock Drive in Elgin, Jason Brandt, 22, of the 800 block of East Oakton Street in Des Plaines, and Hector Gomez, 30, of the 1900 block of Illinois Street in Des Plaines, were all charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member. Information on their criminal histories was not available.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 19.