Men Who Fled Feds With 1 Kilo of Cocaine Face Charges

WEST DUNDEE, IL - A 25-year-old Lake in the Hills man remains in custody Monday on a $750,000 bail after he was charged last week for opening fire on federal agents. The agents were conducting a drug investigation into Richy D. Sanchez, of the 1300 block of Cunat Court in Lake in the Hills, and Marcos Rojas, 27, of Chicago, on May 17. As part of the undercover operation, Sanchez and Rojas allegedly met officers and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations in the vicinity of Interstate 90 and Randall Road in Elgin to purchase cocaine, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

During the meeting, Rojas and Sanchez allegedly fled in their vehicle with one kilogram of cocaine. Unmarked police vehicles with emergency lights activated followed and the vehicles stopped at Route 72 and Sleepy Hollow Road in West Dundee, according to prosecutors.

As authorities were trying to take Rojas and Sanchez into custody, their vehicle moved toward an officer. The officer then fired multiple shots into the vehicle, striking Rojas who was in the driver’s seat, according to the news release.

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Emergency medical personnel took Rojas by ambulance to a local hospital where he received medical attention. Rojas is recovering from his injuries, which are not considered life-threatening, prosecutors said. Authorities took Sanchez into custody.

During a bond hearing on Saturday, Sanchez's bail was set at $750,000. Both Sanchez and Rojas are charged with one count of armed violence, a class X felony; one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a class X felony; and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class 1 felony. One count, armed violence, Class X felony

Rojas, of the 5700 block of South Christiana Avenue in Chicago, remains hospitalized. His initial court appearance will be determined once he is released from the hospital, prosecutors said last week.

If convicted of the most serious charge, each would face a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, according to the news release.

“We cannot provide additional details of this incident at this time because it is a pending criminal case and an ongoing investigation,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

Authorities continue to investigate the case and additional charges could be filed.

The Illinois State Police asks for anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information pertaining to the incident to call (847) 294-4400.

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