A judge denied pre-trial release for two alleged gunmen who showed “no regard” for safety after they allegedly committed a drive-by shooting at a home occupied by children in Harvard.
The Harvard Police Department responded around 9:50 p.m. Monday to the 1000 block of Dewey Street in Harvard for a report of shots fired.
Criminal complaints filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said a drive-by shooting occurred.
The suspect vehicle was identified as a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with a Wisconsin license plate.
Court records show two suspects were identified as Miguel Mercado, 25, of Walworth, Wisconsin, and Roberto Mercado, 22, of Walworth, Wisconsin.
The complaints said the two Mercados both discharged a firearm into the house from the Chevrolet.
The two suspects should have reasonably known the single-family residence was occupied, the complaints said.
Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman said multiple rounds were fired, striking the garage of the home. No injuries were reported.
The complaints said Miguel Mercado and Roberto Mercado were found in possession of a Beretta Mod M9 22 LR handgun, which had a defaced serial number, and .22 long rifle cartridges.
The two were unlawfully possessing the weapon because they did not have a Firearm Owner’s Identification card, the complaints said.
The Harvard Police Department arrested Miguel Mercado and Roberto Mercado following a traffic stop at Dewey Street and Grant Street.
Officers located the Chevrolet while responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle circling several blocks away from the shooting scene. A firearm was recovered during the traffic stop.
Both men were transported to the McHenry County Jail early Tuesday morning.
They were both charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Miguel Mercado was wanted at the time on two failure to appear warrants in McHenry County for driving while license suspended. In addition to his charges, he was cited for operating an uninsured vehicle, open alcohol in a vehicle, driving with expired license plates and driving while license expired.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed petitions to detain both men pending trial, arguing they pose a real and present danger to the community.
Prosecutors said approximately nine shots were fired and five struck the home, which was occupied by children and other people.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted both petitions and ordered Miguel Mercado and Roberto Mercado held in the McHenry County Jail.
Lamb said the defendants showed “no regard for their safety,” referring to the people inside the home at the time of the shooting.
Roberto Mercado is currently on probation for aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Harvard after he pleaded guilty to the charge in March 2024 and was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of public service.