Aurora police arrest 2 men on weapons charges

Aurora Police have arrested a man in connection with a shooting at a March 7 party during which a minivan was damaged, but no one injured.

Adrian R. Hernandez, 18, of the 400 block of Northpark Avenue, Aurora, is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and was being held on $600,000 bail, meaning he must post $60,000 to be released from the Kane Count jail while the case is pending.

Another man, Jesus Villegas Jr., 25, of the 600 block of Manhattan Drive, Oswego, also was arrested in an unrelated incident on weapons and drug charges, police said. Aurora Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said Hernandez was at a party on the 300 block of Northpark Avenue at about 1:35 a.m. March 7.

The people hosting the party were charging $5 admission and two Aurora men, ages 20 and 22, who went to the party paid admission but were later asked to leave and wanted their money back, Ferrelli said.

Hernandez argued with the two men, didn't return their money and is accused of firing shots at their minivan as they drove away, Ferrelli said.

The rear window and taillight on the minivan were damaged, but the men were not hurt, Ferrelli said.

Hernandez was arrested late Thursday and charged Friday morning, Ferrelli said.

According to court records, Hernandez was free on bond on drug charges from February 2015 at the time of the party.

He is next due in court March 27 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the weapons charge.

Villegas was arrested during a traffic stop at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a controlled substance after authorities found a loaded .38-caliber handgun and 25 Xanax pills in his car, Ferrelli said.

Villegas is next due in court Wednesday and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. He was on parole for a burglary conviction and is being held without bond, police said.