Nearly Two-Year Investigation Leads To Charges Against 19 Gang Members In Joliet
(CBS) -- A series of undercover gun and drug buys mean several Joliet gang members are now off the streets, reports WBBM's Nancy Harty.
Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton says the sweep, done with Chicago ATF agents, netted charges against 19 known gang members.
"This sweep was the result of an almost two-year joint investigation," Benton said. "As a result, over 40 illegal firearms, 230 grams of cocaine, over 200 grams of methamphetamine was purchased and seized."
Podcast
Not all 19 are in custody yet, but the Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow is hopeful this will bring a drop in crime like one after a similar bust 20 years ago.
Glasgow, however, wants tougher penalties for selling guns by felons and plans to push the state to make that change.
Police say one of the gang members, 25-year-old Aaron Bowers of Joliet, has also been charged in the 2010 murder of Nichole Rodriguez, who was shot in a car with her eight-year-old daughter in the back seat.
