Armed Mob with Bats, Knives and Pellet Guns Arrested Near Algonquin and Busse

Mount Prospect police on bicycle patrol reported at about 9:25 p.m. Thursday observed armed subjects approaching another group of people near Algonquin Road and Dempster Street. The group, which was armed with bats, knives and pellet guns, scattered when they noticed police were on the scene. Several hopped a fence and headed eastbound toward Crystal Lane, and the Crystal Lane Apartments. Other subjects headed southbound toward. At least one subject was in custody by about 9:26 p.m. Police received immediate backup from multiple police squads. The group was described as about 20 male/Hispanics wearing dark clothing.

Police learned at about 9:27 p.m. that at least two female juveniles were hit by pellet gun shots. Their injuries were minor. Pellet guns and other weapons were also recovered by police in the area.

Several subjects that were taken into custody are reported to be Sureños gang members. Some subjects were hiding in neighborhoods in the area. Police had subjects in custody in the Cinnamon Cove Apartments and in the area of Forest Cove Drive. Sureños 13 are known to be in the area of Dempster Road and Algonquin Road.

Four adults were charged with mob action and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Seven juveniles — all residents of Mount Prospect — were charged with mob action.

The four adults arrested are:

Henry Becerril, 18, of the 1700 block of West Chariot Court in Mount Prospect;

Javier Lara, 20, of the 2000 block of West Algonquin Road;

Hugo Ramirez, 18, of the 1700 block of West Chariot Court; and

Edgar Vences, 19, of the 1800 block of West Knightsbridge Drive.

The area is considered a crime hotspot with reports of gang graffiti and frequent criminal damage to property. Graffiti and criminal damage has also been reported in May 2012 in the Briarwood neighborhood, just to the west of the mob action scene.

In February 2012, a man was shot in the back while in the street near Busse Road and Willow Lane, less than one mile north of the mob action crime scene.

Mount Prospect has a Community Connections Center at 1711 West Algonquin Road to help residents of the neighborhood access village services, social services, medical health, personal safety, library services, quality education, economic self-sufficiency, jobs, cultural enrichment and other services for all residents.