Nine arrested in Aurora street gang raid

A nearly two-year investigation targeting members and associates of an Aurora street gang culminated Thursday with weapons and narcotics arrests and charges against nine men in Kane County,

Two additional men also facing charges remain at large and another is already in prison.

Police said they seized two guns, about 204 grams of cocaine, and 4.30 grams of heroin during the investigation, which began in August 2012.

All of the men were targeted due to their criminal histories, including arrests and charges in connection with attempted murders, shootings, aggravated batteries, domestic batteries, burglaries, thefts and other offenses. Several are either on probation or parole due to past offenses.

Officials on Friday said the new charges stem from the defendants selling weapons or narcotics on 17 different occasions during controlled, undercover buys. Several of the transactions took place near schools, churches or parks.

"The operations we have conducted with our federal, state, and local partners that target career criminals are a major reason why Aurora's violent crime rate has plummeted by more than 40 percent in the past 10 years," Aurora police Chief Greg Thomas said in a written statement. "These investigations have made the city much safer for our families and I can assure the community that they will continue."

Those charged include Robert Hughes, 40, of the 800 block of Hammond Avenue, and Kyle Ivanov, 19, of the 3100 block of Linn Court, both in Aurora. They each were charged with the unlawful sale of firearms. Hughes also was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card.

Hughes' bond was set at $300,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 10. Ivanov is still at large.

Shante Mosby, 26, of the 600 block of Spring Street, Aurora, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Mosby's bond was set at $150,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 9.

Rafael Vargas Jr., 29, of the 900 block of Edwards Street, Aurora, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $200,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 10.

Orlando Rocha, 26, of the 1300 block of Monomoy Street, Aurora, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Rocha remains at large.

Adrian Davilla, 27, of the 200 block of Gale Street and Jose Gomez, 29, of the 500 block of North Loucks Street, both in Aurora; and Mario Edmunds, 30, of the first block of Princeton Avenue, Villa Park, each were charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Davilla's bond was set at $100,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 10. Gomez's bond was set at $250,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 3. Edmunds' bond was set at $175,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 9.

Edgar Jimenez, 26, of the 800 block of North View Street Aurora; and Lamar Wilson, 28, who is currently in prison, each were charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Jimenez's bond was set at $150,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 9.

Zachary Reyna, 24, of the 600 block of Hinman Street, Aurora, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Reyna's bond was set at $200,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 10.

Eric Gonzalez, 29, of the 400 block of East Kendall Street, Yorkville, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $250,000. His next court date is 9 a.m. July 9.

With the exception of Wilson, who is already in prison, the remainder of the defendants are being held at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles.

Officials say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Ivanov or Rocha is asked to call Aurora police at (630) 256-5600 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000,

Calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.