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March 29, 2004
FBI-Aurora Police Department to
Investigate Unsolved Homicides; Rewards Offered for Information
Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of
the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and William
J. Lawler, Chief of the Aurora, Illinois Police Department (APD) announced
today the formation of a Cold Case Task Force, which will re-examine and
investigate as many as eleven unsolved murders in Aurora, dating to 1990.
This 10-member task force, which is comprised of FBI Special Agents and
Detectives from the APD, will be attempting to develop evidence which could
lead to the solution of one or more of these cases.
This Cold Case Task Force was formed as a direct result of "Operation Short
Round", a joint federal/state investigation, which targeted the illicit drug
trade in and around the City of Aurora. To date, this investigation has
resulted in the arrest and/or conviction of nearly 50 individuals, believed
to be either members or associates of the Latin Kings street gang.
"The formation of this task force is just another example of the solid
partnership between the APD, FBI and other local and federal law enforcement
agencies" said Chief Lawler. "Since this investigation started, thousands of
hours have been spent on the investigation and prosecution of some of the
most dangerous individuals in Aurora. Now is the time for the public to join
with law enforcement and assist us by providing the information which might
help solve these crimes."
"We're looking for the public's help in solving these crimes," said Mr.
Kneir. "The citizens of Aurora have a stake in their community and need to
help the police take back their neighborhoods. By remaining silent,
residents are allowing the gang bangers and drug dealers that plague their
streets to continue to operate without fear of police intervention."
Mr. Kneir also announced that a reward of up to $5,000.00 is being offered
by the FBI for information that leads to the identification and arrest of
anyone involved in any of these murders. This is in addition to a reward of
up to $1,000.00 that was offered by the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers for
information leading to arrests in any of these cases. An additional $20,000
is offered by the friends and family of one of the victims, Jeffrey
Signorelli, for information leading to arrests in his murder.
The cases being targeted by the Task Force include:
1. The October 2002 murders of Arturo Soto, age 16, and Jesus Lechuga, age
27, both residents of Aurora. Soto and Lechuga were shot and killed in
separate incidents, one week a part, in the 700 block of Fourth Avenue.
Lechuga was killed and two others wounded when they were attacked by two
gunmen on the evening of October 5th. Soto was shot to death as he walked a
female acquaintance to her car on October 11th.
2. The July 11, 2002 murder of Jeffrey Signorelli, age 18, who was shot to
death in the 1700 block of Felton Road. Signorelli and several friends were
gathered in the garage behind a residence when two unknown assailants fired
over a dozen shots into the garage, killing Signorelli and wounding a second
man.
3. The July 8, 2002 murder of Chad Stokesberry, age 21. Stokesberry, an
Aurora resident, was talking on a pay telephone in the 500 block of Hill
Avenue when he was shot to death by unknown assailants.
4. The April 16, 2000 murder of Steven Quigley, age 17, who was shot to
death inside his home in the 1500 block of Superior Street. Quigley and his
20 year old sister were both struck by bullets that were fired into the home
through the kitchen window, just before 2:00 AM. Quigley's sister survived
the attack, suffering non-life threatening wounds.
5. The March 16, 1998 murders of Brenden Anderson of North Aurora and Elias
Calcano of Aurora, both 21 years of age. Their burned bodies were discovered
in an alley off New York Street just after 6:00 AM. Both men had been shot
execution style and appeared to have been beaten before they were killed.
6. The January 30, 1997 murder of 19 year old Michael O'Gara of Elgin.
O'Gara was shot to death as he was driving his vehicle in the 500 block of
South Broadway at approximately 2:00 PM. The two passengers in O'Gara's
vehicle, who survived the attack unharmed, said they were fired at by the
occupants of a small white car that was traveling behind them.
7. The December 21, 1996 murder of Lionel Gonzalez, a 27 year old Aurora
resident. Gonzalez' body was found behind a dumpster in the 1500 block of
Aurora Avenue. He had been shot to death, apparently at another location.
8. The March 9, 1993 slaying of Jesus and Francisco Montoya. The two
brothers, ages 19 and 18 respectfully, were found shot to death in a van
parked in the 0-99 block of South Spencer Street.
Anyone having information about any of these crimes is asked to call the
Cold Case Task Force at (630) 505-5755 or the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at
(630) 892-1000. All calls will be kept confidential.
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