Sept. 08--Three men have been charged with mob action and other crimes this week following an incident at a wedding near Zion during which a person was hit in the face with a handgun, authorities said.
According to a news release from the Lake County sheriff's office, deputies were called about 2:40 a.m. Monday to the first block of Lakefront Drive in an unincorporated area for a battery in progress. The deputies learned that several individuals had been involved in a confrontation.
According to the news release, Oscar A. Cervantes, 28, of the 100 block of North St. James Street, Waukegan, allegedly pointed a handgun at a 23-year-old victim. A short time later, James H. Bakken, 33, of the 11300 block West Carnahan Avenue, Beach Park, allegedly produced a handgun and struck the victim in the face with the handgun. Matthew Bowen, 25, of the 11200 block of West Leland Avenue, Beach Park, was allegedly an aggressor in the confrontation, police said.
The three men were arrested by sheriff's deputies as they attempted to flee in a vehicle, police said. Deputies located two loaded .380 handguns in the vehicle, according to the news release.
Bakken was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, unlawful use of weapon by a felon and mob action. Bowen was charged with mob action, assault, unlawful possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct. Cervantes was charged with mob action and aggravated assault, according to the news release.
In bond court Tuesday morning, Cervantes and Bowen were ordered held at the Lake County Jail on $25,000 bail. Bakken was held on $100,000 bail.
Next court dates include Sept. 11 for Bakken, Sept. 14 for Cervantes and Sept. 15 for Bowen.
News-Sun reporter Dan Moran contributed.
