Zion Police Department reported on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 1:45 p.m. that on Monday, December 5, 2022, Zion Police Department detectives made several significant arrests and completed the seizure of eight firearms while investigating a recent violent crime. The investigation was headed by the Zion Police Department Street Crime Unit (SCU).
Since November 16, 2022, the SCU has devoted countless hours conducting follow ups, compiling data and sifting through evidence in the investigation of this case. As a result, search warrants and arrest warrants were obtained, and a multifaceted operation was planned to take the offenders into custody. The investigation led detectives to a house on Atlantic Avenue in Waukegan, and several of the principle targets were observed there.
Due to the violent weapons-related history of those involved, and known connections to the Maniac Latin Disciples street gang, the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team (EST) was called out to assist in serving the warrant. As NIPAS was arriving to serve the warrant, four people fled from the house and attempted to escape in a vehicle. With the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Group (SIG) and the Waukegan Police Department, all four subjects who fled were apprehended. As a result of their apprehension, three firearms were recovered along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
The house on Atlantic Avenue was then secured, and five additional subjects were detained inside. A search of the house yielded five more firearms, ammunition, powdered cocaine, cannabis, gang indicia (gang distinctive marks), and burglary proceeds.
The case was reviewed with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The following suspects have been charged …
Anthony Gallegos, age 21, from Waukegan with active arrest warrants which include Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (enhanced) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (enhanced).
Ricardo Cruz, age 36, from Waukegan, charged with two counts of Aggravated Unlawful use of Weapon.
Gregorio Gomez, age 33, from Waukegan, charged with two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, with a parole violation warrant issued.
Arian Vasquez, age 19, from Zion, with active arrest warrants for Aggravated Domestic Battery and Forgery.
Carlos Colon, age 22, from Zion, charged with unlawful possession of ammunition (no FOID).
The remaining subjects detained during the operation were released without charges. Additional charges are pending laboratory and forensic digital analysis. The Zion Police Department wishes to thank the supporting agencies who assisted in bringing this case to a successful resolution without loss of life and without injury.
The Zion Police Department also wishes to remind the public that all persons charged in this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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