A Mundelein man has been arrested and charged after police said he stole an AR-15 assault rifle from a Round Lake Park man during a personal weapon sale.
Round Lake Park police said that a resident in the 100 block of Davis Court in Round Lake Park reported to police that his AR-15 assault rifle was stolen. The victim, who legally owned the gun, told authorities that the weapon was taken by a man, later identified as Juan J. Renteria-Becerra, 32, of the 400 block of Prospect Avenue in Mundelein, during a personal weapon sale.
Renteria-Becerra was arrested following an “exhaustive investigation” that was conducted over the past several weeks involving the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) bureau and the Lake County Gang Task Force.
“A viable lead was developed late yesterday evening by Round Lake Park investigators, leading to apprehension of Renteria-Becerra with the assistance of the Round Lake Beach Police Department,” Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said.
The suspect led police to a home in Mundelein where the weapon was located after he was arrested, police said.
Renteria-Becerra was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
“We made this case our top priority. Locating this type of an assault weapon and getting it off the street had investigators working around the clock. Every law enforcement agency involved should be commended for bringing this to a safe conclusion, recovery and arrest,” Filenko said.