9 gang members arrested on drugs, weapons, vandalism charges

Nine gang members are facing charges that include illegal possession of drugs and weapons after a Friday sweep by law enforcement officials from DuPage County, Addison and a pair of federal agencies, authorities announced Monday.

The investigation began last fall and involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Addison Police Department and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Bail was set Saturday for the eight adults facing charges. The ninth person, a juvenile, was released to the custody of his parents.

Those facing charges are:

• Eli G. Resendez, 33, of the 100 block of Euclid Avenue in Bloomingdale, on two counts of delivery of a controlled substance;

• Samuel Resendez, 29, of the 100 block of Euclid, Bloomingdale, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance;

• Missael Resendez, 23, of the 100 block of Euclid, Bloomingdale, on one count of delivery of a controlled substance;

• Ricardo Favela, 41, of the 200 block of West Roosevelt Road, Bensenville, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance;

• Christopher J. Hernandez, 24, of the 500 block of North Neva Avenue, Addison, on one felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, one count of felony criminal damage to property, one count of misdemeanor fleeing and eluding and one count of misdemeanor criminal defacement of property;

• Nikko DePasquale, 26, of the 100 block of South Iowa Avenue, Addison, on one count of felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon with body armor and one count of felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon;

• Armando Carrasco Jr., 18, of the 500 block of North Highview Avenue, Addison, on two counts of felony criminal damage to property and one count of misdemeanor criminal defacement of property;

• and Ryan Villanueva, 22, of the 500 block of Green Oaks Court South, Addison, on two counts of misdemeanor possession of a firearm without a firearm owners identification card and one count of possession of firearm ammunition without a FOID card.

Authorities did not outline the charges against the juvenile.

They said the operation began at 6 a.m. Friday and all the suspects were arrested by noon.

"ATF is an agency dedicated to protecting communities from violent criminals and criminal organizations," Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims said in a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. "To achieve this, we collaborate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and target those who drive violence in our communities. This operation is a great example of how those working relationships can help stem the flow of criminal activity in our communities."