Extra patrols in Boulder Hill as shooting investigations continue

July 14--While Kendall County law enforcement agencies have met recent gang violence in Boulder Hill with increased patrols, four people questioned after a recent shooting in the unincorporated area near Montgomery remain free, officials said Thursday.

The sheriff's office is actively investigating two recent shootings, Deputy R. Wayne Dial said Thursday.

Officials are still in the process of interviewing witnesses and continuing to explore leads while waiting on the return of evidence sent to a crime lab, Dial said.

In the meantime, he said they are continuing to focus extra resources on the area and have been hearing good responses from citizens.

Changes outlined in a news release as Sheriff Dwight Baird's response to gang-related activity include extra patrols, targeted enforcement, and using unmarked and partially marked patrol vehicles.

The effort involves working with other law enforcement agencies including Oswego and Montgomery police departments and the Illinois State Police Kendall County Criminal Intelligence Team, according to the news release.

The sheriff's office credited the "team effort" with the seizure of two handguns on the same day last month, at least one of them loaded, leading to felony charges against two men in Boulder Hill.

Dial said the firearm violations on June 30 appear to be the most recent arrests associated with the increased police presence, but he couldn't say whether the men charged were involved or suspected in any other recent criminal activity.

Patrol deputies discovered one handgun during an investigative stop, while members of the criminal intelligence team got the other gun after a traffic stop, according to the sheriff's office.

"We will continue our efforts to thwart violence of any kind within Kendall County," Baird said.

At the time, the sheriff's office stated the shooting of a 22-year-old Montgomery man May 30 appeared to be an isolated incident. Officers responding to a report of shots fired in the area of Fernwood and Woodridge roads found the man with multiple gunshot injuries, and medics took him to an Aurora hospital. The sheriff's office has not released further information about his condition.

About a month later, the sheriff's office said shots fired on the 0-99 block of Sierra Road appeared to be isolated and associated with gang activity. Officers detained four people near the intersection of Route 34 and Orchard Road in Oswego after the June 25 shooting, but later released them without charges.

Dial said he couldn't answer whether any of the four were suspects in more recent shootings in the Aurora area.

In a statement following the Sierra Road shooting, officials with the sheriff's office said they "remain confident that those responsible for the shooting will be held accountable as the judicial systems allows."

Sheriff's reports show the department is also investigating a recent robbery in the area. At 7:47 p.m.July 8, a female said she was robbed of her debit card at knifepoint on the first block of Boulder Hill Pass in Montgomery, according to reports.

hleone@tribpub.com

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