Lake County authorities are looking into whether guns stolen from a Zion firearms shop are connected to a murder in Chicago.
Assistant State’s Attorney Reginald Mathews said Wednesday that prosecutors have heard “rumors” that two guns among several unaccounted for following the robbery were used in a fatal shooting incident in Chicago.
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“Right now the information is not solid,” Mathews said. “We heard the rumors, so we will contact Chicago officials to do our due diligence.”
Earlier Wednesday morning during a court hearing for Lawrence Taylor, one of two defendants in the Zion robbery, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Rod Drobinski informed Judge Victoria Rossetti of the new information regarding the guns.
After the hearing, Drobinski said the development will at least temporarily halt any plea negotiation efforts involving the two defendants.
Taylor and Clarence Williams, both 18-year-old Zion residents, pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of stolen firearms in excess of 30 guns, a Class X felony that carries a sentencing range of six to 60 years in prison upon conviction. Both are also charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony.
Taylor also has pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of between six and 10 stolen firearms allegedly found during a subsequent search of his house. That count carries a potential sentencing range of between six and 30 years.
They are accused of stealing about 55 rifles, semi-automatic handguns and shotguns in two break-ins the night of May 31 and early June 1 from 5 Star Firearms, authorities said.
Mathews previously said initial information had investigators exploring the possibility that the robbery was part of a retaliation plan for the fatal police shooting of Waukegan 17-year-old Justus Howell on April 4 in Zion.
It is unclear whether the men have any connection to Howell, Mathews said previously, also stressing that officials were not necessarily giving credence to the retaliation claim.
Mathews has declined to comment on that issue since the initial statement.
Both Taylor and Williams remain in custody of the Lake County Jail with Taylor’s bail set at $750,000 and Williams’ bail set at $500,000.
The two break-ins at the Zion gun store were caught on surveillance video, according to the state’s attorney’s office. A search of Taylor’s home turned up 10 guns, authorities said.
Investigators have said Taylor is affiliated with a street gang.
Twitter @jimnewton