2 Aurora Gang Members Arrested In Separate Firearm Incidents This Week: Police

AURORA, IL — Two Aurora men who are confirmed gang members were taken into custody Wednesday after separate incidents involving firearms, police said.

The first arrest was in connection with a domestic-related dispute Tuesday evening in the 500 block of West Galena Boulevard.

Aurora police were called at about 7:34 p.m. Tuesday to the 500 block of West Galena Boulevard for a reported aggravated battery involving a firearm. The preliminary investigation indicated two people who knew each other got into a "domestic-related dispute" in which police alleged the suspect, 25-year-old Ramier Smith, struck the 33-year-old victim in the face with a gun, according to a news release. A round was also discharged, police said.

The victim had a face injury and was evaluated by Aurora Fire Department paramedics but declined hospital transportation.

The investigation brought police to a residence in the 200 block of Half Moon Circle, where they believed Smith to be. Officers established a perimeter and attempted to contact Smith, who remained inside for several hours, officials said.

After more than three hours of intermittent negotiations, Smith exited the house shortly after 1 a.m. Oct. 7 and was taken into custody, according to police. Investigators executed search warrants at the residence and on a vehicle associated with the case, but officials did not say what they located.

At the time of the incident, Smith, whose address is listed in the jail log as being in the 1100 block of Fenton Street, was on parole for other firearms-related offenses with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Following his arrest, IDOC revoked his parole and issued a warrant, officials said.

The Kane County State's Attorney's Office approved the following charges against Smith:

• Unlawful use of a weapon by a felon
• Unlawful use of a weapon by a street gang member
• Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon
• Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon

Smith remains in custody at the Kane County Adult Justice Center pending a detention hearing Friday afternoon.

At about 4:09 p.m. Wednesday, Special Operations Group investigators arrested Alejandro Urzua Sr., 49, on an outstanding felony warrant. The warrant was issued after SOG members executed a search warrant Jan. 7 in the 2200 block of Ridge Avenue to find two firearms, including a Glock .45-caliber handgun and an unserialized 9mm handgun commonly referred to as a "ghost gun," according to Aurora police.

On Oct. 1, the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office approved two felonies — unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card.

Urzua is no longer in custody at the DuPage County Correctional Facility.

"These arrests reflect the work our officers and investigators are doing every day to address criminal activity involving illegal firearms," Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas said in a statement. "Holding gang members and convicted felons accountable when they illegally possess firearms remains a priority for our department. Whether these investigations begin with a call for service or develop over several months, our goal remains the same — identifying those responsible, bringing them to justice, and preventing further violence in our community."