Lake County sheriff’s officers arrested a man on charges that he was operating a drug business from his Ingleside business.
Antonio R. Perez-Amezquita, 36, of Northbrook, was taken into custody on July 22 following a lengthy investigation by the sheriff’s Special Investigations Group. Police conducted a court-authorized search of Perez-Amezquita’s business in the 800 block of Grand Avenue in Ingleside the day before he was arrested.
Inside, police said, they found 1,000 grams of cocaine, a firearm, drug packaging material and $20,000 in cash. Police declined to identify the business.
Perez-Amezquita has been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession with intent to distribute, along with armed violence, officials said.
“Our Special Investigations Group continues to aggressively pursue violent offenders and those trafficking drugs in Lake County,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “We have zero tolerance for violence and drug trafficking in our community.”
Alderman arraignment
Waukegan Alderman Roudell Kirkwood is scheduled to be arraigned on forgery and misconduct charges.
Kirkwood made a court appearance Tuesday via Zoom, where his attorney, Renea Amen, filed a substitution of judge motion to move the case from in front of Judge Patricia Fix. Kirkwood’s case has been moved to the courtroom of Judge George Strickland, with a new date of Aug. 2.
Before the case left her courtroom, Judge Fix told Kirkwood he must turn himself in for processing, as a warrant against him remains active.
The 4th Ward alderman was named in a 31-count indictment alleging that he made false statements or failed to fully disclose pertinent information on state and local forms to obtain video gaming and liquor licenses.
Authorities said Kirkwood failed to disclose that his son had an ownership stake with him in a restaurant where Kirkwood is seeking video gaming licenses. The son cannot obtain a license because of a previous federal conviction, prosecutors said.
The case is being prosecuted by Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest with the Lake County state’s attorney’s office.
Suspect in car break-ins
Antioch police said they have arrested a juvenile in connection with a rash of thefts from parked cars that has been reported in the village in recent months.
The 15-year-old was arrested over the weekend of July 23-24, according to Antioch police, in an unrelated incident in Waukegan. The youth admitted participating in the break-ins and other arrests may be forthcoming, according to police.
APD said more than 20 vehicle burglaries have been reported since May and through early this month. In all the reported thefts, the perpetrators entered unlocked vehicles. Police said they used security camera footage among other investigative tools to link the youth to the crimes.
APD Police Chief Geoff Guttschow said many suburbs are experiencing increases in “crimes of opportunity,” such as vehicle and residential burglaries.
“Through active police work, our officers have recently made key arrests related to auto and home burglaries,” Guttschow said. “These crimes are not tolerated in our community. Because of the increase in these crimes, we have stepped up extra patrols and resources in our neighborhoods, doing old-fashioned police work. For example, our officers have hit the streets on foot patrols, searching for those who choose to hide in the shadows.”
Anyone with any additional information related to these crimes, including security camera video, or anyone who may have been the victim of an unreported crime, should call the Antioch police dispatch center at (847) 270-9111 or email crime@antioch.il.gov.
National Night Out
Tuesday is National Night Out across the nation, a community-building event intended to bring together police departments and the communities they serve in friendly and informal gatherings.
In Lake County, Wauconda, Waukegan and Libertyville police are among the local agencies participating.
You can find more information by checking your local police Facebook page or municipal website to see if your department is participating.
