Arlington Heights Police Department Special Operations Group (SOG) detectives, working in conjunction with Patrol Bureau officers, stopped a vehicle near the 300 block of East Seegers Road for a traffic violationabout 7:55 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Police officers made contact with three occupants in the vehicle …
Emmanuel Cruz-Valencia, 21-years-old of the 4700 block of Arbor Drive, Rolling Meadows;
Mario Cazares, 19-years-old, of the 4800 block of Algonquin Parkway, Rolling Meadows; and
Leonel Cazares-Leon, 20-years-old, of the 4700 block of Arbor Drive, Rolling Meadows.
Arlington Heights police officers observed a loaded handgun magazine protruding from the sweatshirt pocket of Cazares-Leon, who was in the front passenger seat. A lawful search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two 9mm handguns located underneath the front passenger’s seat and in the rear pocket of the driver’s seat. None of the occupants possessed valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card or Conceal Carry Permit.
All three were taken into custody and transported to Arlington Heights Police Department headquarters. Cazarez-Leon and Cazares acknowledged possessing the firearms and attempting to conceal them upon being stopped. Cazarez-Leon and Cazares were each charged with one count Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 felony) and misdemeanor counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon/Possession of Ammunition without a valid FOID card.
Emmanuel Cruz-Valencia was charged with two misdemeanor counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Possession of Ammunition without a Valid FOID card.
All three offenders were charged and released pending their initial court appearances.
Charges Summary:
Class 4 Felony: Agg. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6-A-1
Class A Misdemeanor: Unlawful Use of a Weapon 720 ILCS 5.0/24-1-A-4
Class A Misdemeanor: Possession of Ammunition Without a Valid FOID 430 ILCS 65/2-A-2
Court dates were not initially available.
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