12 charged in Kane County DUI crackdown

A dozen motorists, including at least three with prior DUI charges, were arrested in Kane County's latest No Refusal crackdown over the Fourth of July weekend.

State's Attorney John Barsanti said the operation was one of the county's largest to date, involving nine municipal police agencies along with the sheriff's office and the Illinois State Police.

Of the 12 drivers charged, he said, three initially refused sobriety tests, and at least three were repeat offenders.

"Really, our focus here is not the first-timer; it's the second-timer and third-timer," Barsanti said. "We're protecting the rest of us from them."

Drivers who are suspected of being under the influence and refuse sobriety tests during No Refusal can be served with court-ordered search warrants for their blood, breath or urine. Continued refusal can result in additional charges, including obstructing justice, a Class 4 felony.

Kane County launched the state's first such campaign in May 2008 and, since then, other counties have followed suit, said Elizabeth Earleywine, a traffic safety resource prosecutor for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"Hopefully, it's becoming more accepted," she said. "It's being done to save lives, and that's the bottom line."

The fifth and latest Kane County campaign drew participation from police in Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, Montgomery, St. Charles, South Elgin, Sugar Grove and West Dundee, officials said.

Those charged were:

• Salvador Cervantes, 33, of Addison, two counts of driving under the influence and other violations.

• Eulalio Elizarrarraz, 23, of Crystal Lake, two counts of driving under the influence.

• Aurelio Garcia, 39, of Elgin, driving under the influence.

• Leonardo Gutierrez, 34, of Carpentersville, two counts of driving under the influence and other violations.

• Joel L. Huerta, 24, of Elgin, two counts of driving under the influence.

• Antwan D. McGee, 19, of Elgin, driving under the influence and other violations.

• Miguel A. Rivera-Hernandez, 35, of Elgin, two counts of driving under the influence and other violations.

• Carlos U. Rodriguez, 26, of South Elgin, driving under the influence, obstructing a peace officer, obstructing justice and other violations.

• James L. Surber, 25, of Yorkville, two counts of driving under the influence and other violations.

• Oscar Tapia-Solano, 37, of Elgin, driving under the influence and other violations.

• Sandra L. Tobin, 48, of Elburn, two counts of driving under the influence and other violations.

• Ryan M. Wlodek, 31, of Elgin, obstructing a peace officer, obstructing justice and other violations.