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Two Elgin Men Arrested With Gun Planned To Avenge Death Of Friend

CHICAGO (STMW) -- Two Elgin men were arrested in the West Side Austin neighborhood Saturday with a loaded automatic weapon that they planned to use to avenge the shooting death of a friend, police said.

Dawan Nelson, 19, of the 1500 block of Mark Avenue in Elgin, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon/machine gun and obstruction of traffic by a motorist, according to court documents.

Jeremy Jones, 19, of the 300 block of West Washington Street in Elgin, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon/machine gun and unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, according to court documents.

Nelson and Jones were arrested at 9:55 p.m. Saturday after Area North gang division police officers observed a black, four-door 2013 Dodge Charger approach a white van parked in the middle of the street in the 4700 block of West Huron Street, according to court documents.

The officers conducted a traffic stop on the Charger and observed the driver, Nelson, lean into the back of the car, retrieve a large item that looked like a gun and hand it to Jones, who tried to hide it under the passenger's seat, according to court documents.

Officers found a 9mm TEC-9 blue steel gun with a six-inch barrel, 32-round magazine loaded with three live rounds, according to court documents.

Nelson and Jones told police they bought the gun in Elgin to retaliate against the Four Head Fours gang from the area of West Ferdinand Street and North Lavergne Avenue because of the shooting death of "Chuck."

Jones is a Traveling Vice Lord gang member who attended college and works in shipping and receiving, according to court records and public defenders. Nelson denies any gang affiliations and is a high school graduate who works at Walmart.

Jones, who is currently on parole, was held on a $90,000 bond, according to court documents. Nelson was held on $750,000 bond.

Both men are expected back Friday in Br. 50 court.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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