Teens arrested in Rockford after shots fired in Machesney Park

On Wednesday, July 6, at 8:22 p.m., Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Copper Drive and Ruby Lane in Machesney Park for a large group of males fighting. Deputies were advised by dispatch that gunshots were fired during the fight from a white ford Taurus, which fled the scene.

Deputies observed the suspect Ford Taurus leaving the area and attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle. Deputies pursued the Ford Taurus into Rockford for 20 minutes.

The pursuit ended when the Ford Taurus entered a small parking lot at East State Street and Flintridge Drive, where deputies and Rockford officers were able to surround the vehicle and take six suspects into custody.

Winnebago County detectives were called in to conduct interviews and further investigate the shooting incident. Three suspects were charged and lodged in the Winnebago County Jail while two juvenile suspects were charged and lodged in the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center. All suspects are known gang members or are associated with the Moe’s, Eastsiders and Get Money Team.

Arrested were:

Maurelle D. Day, 18, of Rockford – Mob Action, Aggravated Fleeing To Elude;
Jaquan L. White, 18, of Rockford – Mob Action, Reckless Discharge Of A Firearm and Rockford PD Warrant for DUI;
Renard Willis, 18, of Rockford – Mob Action;
Juvenile Male, 17, of Rockford – Mob Action, Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and Winnebago County Juvenile Custody Warrant For Probation Violation;
Juvenile male, 17, of Rockford – Mob Action & Winnebago County Juvenile custody warrant for Probation Violation.

On Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Approximately 8 a.m. Rockford D and Winnebago County Deputies recovered a stolen 9mm handgun along East State and Prospect streets. It is believed to have been thrown from the fleeing suspect vehicle during the pursuit.

Charges are pending on the third juvenile male, 17, and further charges stemming from the stolen handgun are pending, upon review of the State Attorney’s Office.

The Charges Against Day, White, Willis and the juveniles are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.