Kidnapping/gang Arrests

INFORMATION RELEASE

 In the early morning hours of Friday April 11, 2008 39 yr old Jorge Loaiza of Rockford, was forcibly abducted from his vehicle as he left his home in south Rockford. He was headed to work. Two vehicles, occupied by multiple suspects, boxed in his vehicle, forced him out of the car and into a van occupied by the suspects. He was tied up and taken to a home at 124 LaClede Ave, where he was held and repeatedly beaten. At least one of the suspects was armed with a handgun. The apparent motive for the kidnapping was holding Loaiza for ransom. Prior to ransom calls being made the suspects fled the residence on LaClede and with the assistance of a neighbor; Loaiza was also able to flee. Both the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department and the Rockford Police Department were contacted and a joint investigation initiated. Loaiza was transported to a hospital where he was treated and released later that day. Sheriff’s detectives and Rockford Police Gang detectives conducted an intense, around the clock investigation. Suspects were identified as members of the Latin King Street gang. The investigation was coordinated with the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s office, and multiple arrests have been made. The charges against the suspects are merely accusations, and not evidence of guilt. They are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.ADDITIONAL ARRESTS ANTICIPATED/ Three weapons have been recovered.Belvidere P.D. assisted in the investigation.#1 Ernesto Antonio Martinez 19yrs old (dob 11/27/88),Rockford     -Aggravated Vehicle Hijacking/with a weapon     -Aggravated Kidnapping/for ransom #2 Louis Guajardo 21yrs old (dob 11/13/86),Belvidere     -Aggravated Vehicle Hijacking/with a weapon     -Aggravated Kidnapping/for ransom #3  Jose Feliz Serrano 17yrs old (dob 11/10/90),Rockford     -Aggravated Vehicle Hijacking/with a weapon     -Aggravated Kidnapping/for ransom During the course of the investigation at least two stolen vehicles were recovered and arrests made on un-related incidents. The following arrests were also made. -          Christopher Ellis Toney 18yrs old (dob 3/24/90),RockfordToney was charged with an un-related armed robbery warrant and possession of a handgun recovered at the time of his arrest. -Adriana Trejo 20yrs old (female dob 11/08/88),RockfordTrejo is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver,armed violence,no FOID and endangering the life and safety of a child/2Ct’s/ AN ASSAULT RIFLE WAS RECOVERED FROM HER APARTMENT.              :INFORMATION RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY:   Deputy Chief Dominic Iasparro    4/18/2008