Aurora police arrested two men they describe as confirmed gang members in separate gun cases this week, one stemming from a man allegedly pistol-whipped on a busy stretch of West Galena Boulevard and the other tied to a months-old weapons investigation on Ridge Avenue. Both men face felony charges; Smith remains in custody awaiting a detention hearing.
The first case began at 7:34 p.m. last Tuesday, Oct. 6, when officers responded to the 500 block of West Galena Boulevard for a reported aggravated battery involving a firearm, according to shawlocal.com. Police say a 33-year-old man was struck in the face with a gun and reported that a round had been fired during the confrontation. The victim suffered a facial injury and was evaluated by Aurora Fire Department paramedics but declined to be taken to a hospital, per Patch.
Three-Hour Standoff on Half Moon Circle
Investigators tracked a suspect to a residence in the 200 block of Half Moon Circle, where Ramier Smith, a 25-year-old Aurora resident, initially remained inside the home as police held a standoff for several hours. The same report notes Smith intermittently negotiated with officers for more than three hours before surrendering at about 1 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Smith was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, unlawful use of a weapon by a street gang member, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, police said. The account adds that Smith was on parole for other firearms-related offenses, and the Illinois Department of Corrections revoked his parole and issued a warrant following his arrest. He could face up to seven years in prison if convicted, and he is scheduled to appear for a pretrial detention hearing Friday while held at the Kane County Adult Justice Center.
Second Arrest Tied to January Ridge Avenue Search
Hours later, at approximately 4:09 p.m. Wednesday, Aurora Police Special Operations Group investigators arrested Alejandro Urzua Sr., a 49-year-old Aurora resident, on an outstanding felony arrest warrant, the report states. That warrant stemmed from a Jan. 7 investigation in the 2200 block of Ridge Avenue, during which investigators found a Glock .45-caliber handgun and an unserialized 9mm handgun inside a home…