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Final suspects in Gurnee-area home invasion plead not guilty

The final two of five men accused of breaking into an occupied Gurnee-area home earlier this year in a suspected robbery attempt pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County court.

Eduardo Solis-Marcelo, 26, of Waukegan, faces up to 45 years in jail if convicted on counts of home invasion involving a firearm and armed robbery, said Lake County Judge George Strickland. He's scheduled to face trial May 26, Strickland said.

Juan Bahena-Arcos, 21, of Park City, pleaded not guilty to similar charges Thursday in front of Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes. His trial date is set for June 22.

Three co-defendants previously pleaded not guilty to allegations stemming from the Feb. 18 break-in.

Jose L. Villegas, 27, and Pablo F. Calix, 19, both from Park City, denied the charges on April 15. Javier Montes, 31, of Waukegan, pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Montes, Bahena-Arcos, Villegas and Solis-Marcelo each remain held in Lake County jail on $500,000 bail. Calix is in jail on a $400,000 bail, set lower because he has no prior criminal record, authorities said.

Lake County Sheriff's police say the five men were armed at about 9:20 a.m. Feb. 18, when they invaded a house in the 12000 block of Harrison Avenue in unincorporated Lake County near Gurnee.

After they left and drove away, a 911 caller provided authorities with a description of the offenders' vehicle, police said. A vehicle matching the description was spotted at Stearns School and Dilley's roads in Gurnee and pulled over in the 5300 block of Conifer Lane after a short chase, police said.

Two men were immediately detained at the scene, authorities said, but three others ran into the surrounding subdivision.

Two were captured later that day by sheriff's deputies and Gurnee police officers, authorities said. The third was taken into custody in Highwood the next day.

Solis-Marcelo is due back in court on May 13 for a case management conference.

Four charged in break-in near Gurnee

Four men accused in Gurnee-area home invasion held on bail

Fifth suspect charged in Gurnee home invasion

Two of five men accused in Gurnee-area home invasion plead not guilty

Jose L. Villegas
Pablo F. Calix
Javier Montes
Juan Bahena-Arcos
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