Firearms Recovered From Documented Gang Members In Separate Traffic Stops: APD

AURORA, IL — Aurora police recovered two firearms from documented gang members during separate traffic stops last week, officials said.

Gabriel G. Martinez, 32, and a 15-year-old boy, whose name police withheld, were issued multiple felonies each after respective traffic stops on Sept. 25 and Sept. 27.

Martinez was pulled over near North Avenue and Jackson Street at about 11:06 p.m. Sept. 25 after officers observed the car making stop sign violations. During the investigation, police noticed "indicators of impairment" and asked the driver to exit the car, when officers saw a handgun beneath the driver's seat, according to a news release.

The gun had defaced serial numbers on the slide and barrel. The driver, a documented gang member, was placed into custody, whereas two other passengers were detained but later released, police said.

The Kane County State's Attorney's Office approved the following felony charges against Martinez, whose address jail records list as being in the 1800 block of East 72nd Street in Chicago.

• Possession of a firearm by a street gang member in a vehicle
• Possession of a weapon by a person with a prior forcible-felony conviction
• Possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number
• Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle with prior conviction

Martinez also received traffic citations for driving under the influence of alcohol and two counts of disobeying a stop sign.

Two days later, at 4:35 p.m., Special Operations Group investigators pulled a Toyota Camry over near Waldo Middle School for illegal window tints. While police spoke to underage passengers about tobacco violations, a 15-year-old boy, a documented street gang member, fled on foot while clutching his waistband, police said. After a brief pursuit, officers caught up with the teen and found a Springfield XD-9 handgun loaded with 15 rounds in his pant leg, according to the release.

The adult driver was cited for the tint violation, and the other teen passengers were referred for tobacco violations or released, police said. The 15-year-old was issued the following charges, approved by the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

• Unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, a felony
• Unlawful possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, a felony
• Possession of a firearm, not eligible for a FOID card, a felony
• Three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, felonies
• Resisting/obstructing a peace officer, a misdemeanor
• Possession of tobacco by a minor, a misdemeanor

The teen was taken to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center, where he was held pending a detention hearing.

"Our officers continue to demonstrate the kind of proactive work that makes Aurora safer," Police Chief Matt Thomas said in a statement. "Taking illegal guns off the street and holding people accountable isn't just about arrests — it's about preventing the next tragedy and keeping our neighborhoods safe. It's especially concerning when impaired drivers or juveniles are involved; however, these cases show why our ongoing focus on enforcement, prevention and community safety matters."

Both cases remain under investigation. Police are asking anyone with information about either to call the investigations division at 630-256-5500.