A self-admitted Latin Kings gang member was charged after prosecutors say he demanded money from his stepfather and battered him in Mundelein, causing multiple injuries.
Carlos Velasquez, 21, of Mundelein, was charged with two counts of domestic battery, one count of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and one count of mob action.
The victim in the case is Velasquez’s stepfather and they both live together, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa said during a bond hearing.
At their Mundelein home on November 13, Velasquez and two other men allegedly demanded money from the victim he had supposedly owed.
The victim didn’t owe his stepson money and was likely scapegoated for money Velasquez owed to his friends, DeRosa said.
The victim told the men to leave the house and they allegedly refused.
Velasquez and a co-defendant prevented the victim from calling 911, DeRosa said.
The victim asked a witness to call 911, but the co-defendant allegedly threatened them to not call.
The victim agreed to step out of the house and both the defendant and co-defendant battered him outside, DeRosa said.
Velasquez and the co-defendant had left the scene prior to police arrival.
Officers saw several injuries on the victim’s head and face, including a bruised eye, swelling and bleeding, DeRosa said.
Velasquez was later arrested and charged.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak said Velasquez is a “self-admitted” Latin Kings gang member.
Potkonjak set Velasquez’s bond at $300,000. He would need to post $30,000, or 10%, to be released.
Velasquez remains held at the Lake County Jail. A status hearing is scheduled for November 29.