Two individuals suspected of engaging in a drive-by shooting in Lake County were arrested following a high-speed police chase. The suspects, identified as Andrew S. Huerta and Javier Ponce, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated discharge of a firearm and felony possession of a firearm, respectively.
According to authorities, the incident began when the police received a call about a drive-by shooting that had occurred in the area of South Fulton Avenue and West Madison Street. The police immediately launched a search operation and located a vehicle matching the description provided by the witnesses. Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, the suspects fled, leading to a high-speed chase.
During the pursuit, the suspects reportedly threw multiple items from the vehicle, which were later identified as firearms. The chase ended when the suspects lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a residential fence. Both Huerta and Ponce were apprehended at the scene.
Huerta, a 24-year-old resident of Waukegan, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony carrying a sentence of 4 to 15 years in prison. Ponce, a 22-year-old resident of Beach Park, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony that carries a sentence of 3 to 7 years in prison.
Following the arrest, the police conducted a thorough search of the vehicle and recovered three firearms, two of which were reported stolen. No injuries were reported in the shooting or the subsequent police chase. The incident remains under investigation by the Lake County Gang Task Force.
The suspects were taken into custody without bail and are set to appear in court later this month. If convicted, they face significant jail time and fines. The local community has expressed relief at the quick action taken by the police, highlighting the importance of effective law enforcement in maintaining public safety.