Wanted Gang Member Arrested On Charges Of Beating Pregnant Woman

WAUKEGAN, IL — A wanted street gang member accused of beating a pregnant woman earlier this year was arrested Tuesday, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Giovanni M. Smith, 29, of the 400 block of 10th Street in North Chicago, was arrested in the 1800 block of Hebron Avenue in Zion by members of the sheriff's office warrants team and Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service, according to Sgt. Chris Covelli.

Smith had been wanted on one count of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and two counts of domestic battery in connection with a Sept. 13 incident at his home, according to the sheriff's office and court records. The baby was thought to have survived the attack.

Following an investigation by North Chicago police, a $75,000 warrant was issued for his arrest about two weeks later. The sheriff's office said Smith is a documented member of a street gang.

Smith is also suspected of being the driver in a Dec. 5 incident where a vehicle fled from police in the area of Route 41 and Buckley Road. North Chicago police are continuing to investigate the incident, according to the sheriff's office.

Members of the sheriff's warrants team received information this week that Smith was staying at a home in Zion, where he was arrested without incident and taken to the Lake County Jail.

A judge ordered Smith held in lieu of the $4,000 cash portion of his bond ahead of his next court appearance, which is scheduled for Dec. 14.