Crime & Safety

Aurora Cops Charge 18, Arrest 12 in Drug Sting

Six suspects still at large. Anyone with information is asked to call Aurora police at 630-256-5600 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Eighteen people have been charged with multiple drug offenses after a two-month investigation into illegal narcotics dealing in three Aurora taverns, Aurora police said Tuesday.

Police are searching for six suspects still at large, according to the press release.

Twelve of the 18 suspects were arrested over the weekend for allegedly selling cocaine, marijuana and/or ecstasy to undercover police officers at the End Zone Bar, 1650 N. Farnsworth Ave.; Joe’s Cantina, 112 E. Galena Blvd.; or Club Gala, 210 E. Galena Blvd. Additionally, some of the undercover buys took place on Galena Boulevard and LaSalle Street, police said.

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Police seized 335.42 grams of cocaine, 22.31 grams of marijuana, 2.08 grams of ecstasy, and two vehicles. The drugs had an estimated street value of $34,000, police said.

The investigation was dubbed “Operation Summer Snow,” and was spearheaded by investigators from the Aurora Police Department’s Special Operations Group and the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force. Several other federal agencies, as well as the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office, assisted, police said.

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“This operation is further illustration of the solid relationships the Aurora police have with law enforcement agencies at all levels”, said Aurora Police Chief Greg Thomas. 

The six at-large suspects are all from Aurora. They are:

  • Rosario Hernandez, 36, of the 800 block of Gates Street.
  • Jose Romero-Maravilla, 27, of the 600 block of South River Street.
  • Roberto Dieppa, 25, of the 200 block of Prairie Street.
  • Arturo Rios, 25, of the 600 block of Forrest Avenue.
  • Tiburcio Becerra, 36, of the 300 block of North Union Street.
  • Victor Garcia, 35, of the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue.

All are wanted for possession and delivery of a controlled substance. Hernandez, Maravilla, Dieppa and Rios are wanted for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, while Becerra and Garcia are wanted for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church, according to police.

Garcia also is wanted for possession with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a church, police said.

Eleven of the 12 taken into custody are from Aurora, police said, and some are known gang members. They are:

  • Amber Alvarez, 32, of the 1700 block of North Farnsworth Avenue.
  • Luis Campos, 38, of the 1000 block of Kenmore Avenue.
  • Juan Jiminez, 31, of the 700 block of Front Street.
  • Oscar Tovar, 28, of the 800 block of North Rathbone Avenue.
  • Jesus Garcia, 28, of the 100 block of Oakview Avenue.
  • Juan Leon, 23, of the 100 block of Woodlawn Avenue.
  • Jose Resendiz, 30, of the 500 block of Sixth Avenue.
  • Armando Valerio Rios, 43, of the 500 block of East Galena Boulevard.
  • Reyna Cruz, 31, of the 800 block of Hinman Street.
  • Gilda Ruales, 25, of the 1000 block of Solfisburg Avenue.
  • Joseph Moore, 26, of the 300 block of Oak Street.
  • Emigido Bustos, 33, of the 2100 block of Glenwood Avenue in Joliet.

All are charged with possession of a controlled substance, police said. Alvarez, Campos, Tovar, Garcia, Leon, Resendiz, Rios and Moore are charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Jiminez, Tovar, Garcia, Leon, Resendiz, Rios and Moore are charged with delivering a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church. Alvarez and Campos are charged with delivering a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, police said.

Alvarez, Cruz and Ruales are charged with possession with intent to deliver, with Alvarez also charged with intending to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school and Cruz and Ruales with intending to deliver within 1,000 feet of a church, police said.

Anyone with information on the suspects still at large is asked to call Aurora Police Special Operations Investigators at 630-256-5600, or call Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.


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