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Lopez Has Extensive Criminal Background, CBS 2 Investigators Have LearnedBy Megan Hickey
Filed Under:Armando Lopez, Frank Aguilar, Little Village, Megan Hickey

CHICAGO (CBS) — Armando Lopez, who was ordered held without bond after he was charged in a vehicle pursuit connected to the murder of a nurse in Little Village, has a record of gun offenses over the past year, court records show.

Lopez, 19, of the 2800 block of South Christina Avenue, was charged over the weekend with felony aggravated fleeing, and misdemeanor charges of fleeing and attempting to elude police and driving on a revoked license. He also got three tickets for not stopping at stop signs. He has not been charged in the shooting death.

The silver Jeep sport-utility vehicle in which Lopez was fleeing matched the description of the offender’s vehicle in the drive-by shooting death of Frank Aguilar, 32, last week.

“In my mind I know he was involved – whether he was the driver or the shooter, or a passenger, of course,” said Aguilar’s uncle, Joshua Alcazar.

On Monday, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said police are still investigating. But were quick to mention that this is far from the teen’s first run in with the law.

In October 2018, Lopez was arrested for allegedly breaking into cars. He was released on an I-bond, meaning he didn’t have to pay any money, and the charges were dropped in February. CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reports.

The same month that those charges were dropped — he was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and driving on a revoked license. Then in March, he was also charged with carrying a shotgun without a valid gun license. He pleaded not guilty and again was released on an I-bond.

Lopez was on bond when he was arrested this weekend.

“It tells is all right there. It doesn’t matter if you’re a family man; if you’re a good man – he has cases, and you have got to pull people like this off the streets,” said Aguilar’s nephew, Arim Barahoma.

Lopez was one of two people who were taken into custody early Saturday after a chase from Little Village all the way to West Chatham. The other was released without charges.

“It tells is all right there. It doesn’t matter if you’re a family man; if you’re a good man – he has cases, and you have got to pull people like this off the streets,” said Aguilar’s nephew, Arim Barahoma.

Lopez is one of 2,146 gun offenders arrested since May. Roughly half of those offender posted bond out of Cook County, and 139, like Lopez, were rearrested.

At 11:47 p.m. Friday in the 2300 block of South Sawyer Avenue, Ogden District Traffic Pursuit officers spotted the Jeep and ended up chasing it several miles southeast to West Chatham.

Illinois State Police were also involved in the chase, which involved the Dan Ryan Expressway. State Police spotted the vehicle in the southbound Dan Ryan express lanes at 47th Street, and the vehicle crashed into another vehicle just off the expressway at 75th Street and Lafayette Avenue, state police said.

Frank Aguilar

Frank Aguilar was shot and killed in Little Village on Tuedsay, Nov. 12, 2019. (Credit: GoFundMe)

Aguilar, 32, was still wearing his scrubs from work when he was shot and killed Tuesday night. He was carrying laundry and snacks for his niece and nephew.

Alcazar said Saturday that he woke up the family to let them know about the arrests.

On Monday, Lopez’ attorney said it’s important that the court not jump to conclusions.

“I understand the judge said the bond has nothing to do with the investigation that the state mentioned,” said attorney Sean Harrison. “I think we’ll take that with a grain of salt. I’ve never seen a bond like this on a fleeing and eluding (charge) before.”

Lopez has a hearing on Monday for violating the terms of his bond.

Meanwhile Aguilar’s wake is scheduled for Wednesday. The family is hoping to have more answers by then.

Megan Hickey