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.
Urzua was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a firearm without a valid firearm owner's identification card. He could face up to five years in prison if found guilty, and he was granted pretrial release Thursday, according to DuPage County court records cited by the Daily Herald.
Aurora police have not disclosed whether Smith and Urzua's cases are connected beyond both men being identified as confirmed gang members arrested this week in separate gun investigations. The available police accounts do not address the final court outcomes for either man, including any upcoming pleas or detention rulings.
