Trio charged after Gurnee hit-and-run, traffic stop

Three men were charged with drug and gun crimes after a hit-and-run crash Sept. 9, 2019, in north suburban Gurnee. | Gurnee police Facebook photo

Three men are facing drug and weapons charges following a hit-and-run crash Monday in north suburban Gurnee.

Police were called about the crash at 1:34 p.m. at Hunt Club Road and Washington Street, according to a statement from Gurnee police. A Jeep SUV involved in the crash continued north on Hunt Club.

Investigators received reports that the Jeep was broken down on Hunt Club, and multiple witnesses said they saw a group of people pushing it north, police said. It was found abandoned in the parking lot of a nearby business.

Witnesses told authorities they saw several people get out of the Jeep and leave the area in a Hyundai sedan, police said. Officers pulled over the Hyundai a short time later.

Erick Castro-Gomez

Two of the car’s occupants, 18-year-old Erick Castro-Gomez and 20-year-old Terrell McNeal, got out during the traffic stop and tried to run away, police said. Castro-Gomez is accused of fighting with the officer who took him into custody after a brief foot chase. McNeal got away.

Three of the Hyundai’s occupants were taken into custody for questioning after officers found a handgun in the car, police said.

Castro-Gomez, who lives in Waukegan, was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card, possessing a controlled substance, resisting a police officer, driving under the influence of drugs, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and leaving the scene of an accident, according to police and the Lake County sheriff’s office.

Larry Jose Barela

Larry Jose Barela III, 19, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving on a suspended license, according to police and the sheriff’s office. He lives in Waukegan.

A 19-year-old man and 16-year-old girl who were in the Hyundai were released without being charged, police said. Investigators later identified McNeal as the person who ran and arrested him during a traffic stop at 11:26 a.m. Tuesday.

McNeal, who lives in Gurnee, was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card, authorities said.

Terrell McNeal

Castro-Gomez’s bail was set at $200,000 and he is due back in court on Sept. 24, authorities said. McNeal’s bail was set at $100,000 and his next court date was set for Sept. 17. Barela is being held on $10,000 bail and his next court date is scheduled for Sept. 24.

All three remain in custody at the Lake County Jail.

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