Street Gang Member With Stolen Gun Arrested At El Primo: Police

JOLIET, IL — A 27-year-old Joliet street gang member who lives on Campbell Street was arrested Thursday night after Joliet police say Rafael Garcia-Costilla had a stolen gun inside the El Primo restaurant on North Scott Street in downtown Joliet.

Officers hauled Garcia-Costilla off the premises and charged him with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of firearm/ammunition and having no Firearm Owners Identification.

Joliet police say officers were summoned to the El Primo Restaurant at 457 North Scott St. around 9:35 p.m. on Dec. 23 regarding someone inside the restaurant with a gun.

After Joliet squad cars arrived at the business, officers found Garcia-Costilla in the El Primo parking lot after it was determined he matched the description of the person with the gun inside the restaurant, police spokesman Dwayne English noted.

While speaking to Garcia- Costilla, Joliet police recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun from the ground where Garcia-Costilla had been previously standing, according to police.

Garcia-Costilla was booked into custody at the Will County Jail, and Joliet police say the handgun had been reported stolen.

A Will County judge set bail at $100,000 for Garcia- Costilla, who lives in the 1700 block of Joliet's Campbell Street, on the city's west side.