3 charged, one shot by Aurora police after drug deal-turned-robbery
Three people have been charged for their roles in a Monday drug deal that turned into an armed robbery on Aurora's near west side, authorities said. One of the suspects was shot by Aurora police.
Giovanni A. Padilla, 26, of the 300 block of Brown Court, Aurora, faces charges of armed robbery, armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of cannabis, according to Aurora police.
Two 18-year-olds, Michael C. Paige, of the 0-99 block of Senora Drive, Montgomery, and Tyrone T. Smith, of the 300 block of West 106th Street, Chicago, also are charged with armed robbery, armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance, police said.
According to police, the three men went to an apartment on the 1100 block of North Farnsworth Avenue on Monday to buy drugs. Once inside, all three pulled out guns, stole the drugs and escaped before victims called police.
A patrol officer who was in the police station parking lot heard the call and responded to the northwest corner of Indian Trial and Farnsworth, where a short chase ensued, police said.
The chase ended with an "armed confrontation" between the officer and Padilla, who was shot once and wounded, police said. Officers gave him first aid before paramedics took Padilla to a hospital. A gun and drugs were recovered at the scene. The officer was not injured.
Other officers converged on the area to search for Smith, who was arrested in a backyard on the 700 block of Trask Street, and Paige, who was arrested in a backyard on the 800 block of Trask, police said. Neither suspect was injured, and another gun and drugs were recovered, police said.
"All of us at the Aurora Police Department are recognizing the assistance we received from the community during the event which brought it to a quick closure without additional injuries. All of the Officers also showed quick response, professionalism and teamwork in a highly stressful situation," police said Thursday in a social media message.
Police said the officer who shot the suspect has been assigned to administrative duties as standard procedure while the department's Office of Professional Standards investigates. The officer is a 10-year department veteran.
Each man faces a punishment of up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the most severe charges of armed robbery and armed violence.
Padilla's bail was set at $300,000, meaning he must post $30,000 to be released while the charges are pending. He is due in court on Wednesday. Bail for Smith and Paige has been set at $250,000 each, and they are due in court on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, respectively.