DuPage County officials announced additional charges Saturday after the killing of an 18-year-old West Chicago man whose body was found smoldering in a fire pit last week.
West Chicago firefighters who were conducting a training exercise about 11:30 a.m. Aug. 14 saw an object smoldering in a fire pit at a home in West Chicago, according to a news release from the DuPage County state's attorney. Upon investigation, fire personnel saw that the object was the body of 18-year-old Luis Guerrero.
The fire department contacted police, who opened an investigation that led to Saul Ruiz, Jesus Correa and Francisco Alvarado, all 18 and of West Chicago. A 16-year-old girl, Tia Brewer of unincorporated Wheaton, also was implicated in the slaying of Guerrero, the release said.
Correa, who was initially charged with concealment of a homicidal death, now faces first-degree murder charges, and Ruiz has also been charged with armed robbery, the release said.
Prosecutors said Alvarado and Brewer planned to meet the victim Aug. 13 and tracked him down at a Burger King near the West Chicago Library. Ruiz waited in the library parking lot, and at some point, Alvarado and Brewer began stabbing and punching the victim while Ruiz held him down, the release said.
The three then stole Guerrero's backpack and loaded him into their Jeep Cherokee, drove to Joliet Street and removed him from the Jeep. Prosecutors said the three tortured, beat and kicked Guerrero as he begged for his life. Correa then arrived at the fire pit and also beat and kicked the victim. It is believed Correa brought a container of gasoline and gave it to Alvarado and Brewer. Brewer then poured the gasoline on Guerrero and lit him on fire, the release said.
While on fire, Guerrero got up and tried to run away, but Alvarado and Brewer ran him over with the Jeep.
"The facts alleged in this case are some of the most grisly and horrific I have seen in my 30 years as a prosecutor," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a release. "The tremendous pain and suffering allegedly inflicted by these defendants is inconceivable and, if convicted of this heinous crime, each of these defendants is facing a lifetime behind bars for the vicious murder of Luis Guerrero."
Brewer had dated Guerrero and had told Alvarado that Guerrero had raped her, Berlin said. But the prosecutor said authorities have not found any indication Brewer ever reported such an assault to authorities.
Alvarado and Brewer were scheduled to appear in court Sept. 13, and Ruiz and Correa were scheduled for Sept. 17. All four were denied bail.
