Raid yields arrests, drugs, guns, alligator - Chicago Sun-Times

BY SAM CHARLES Staff Reporter/scharles@suntimes.com February 9, 2013 10:04PM

Updated: February 9, 2013 11:28PM

Several suspects, drugs, guns, money — even an alligator — were all taken into police custody after search and arrest warrants were executed by various law enforcement agencies on the Southwest Side and a nearby suburb Thursday.

The raid was tied to the December shooting and attempted robbery of an off-duty Chicago police officer who was fired on as he was about to take his 2-year-old son from his car. The 34-year-old decorated officer was shot multiple times, but survived his injuries; the child was not hurt.

Days later, a police informant led Chicago police to Mario Froylen, 27, of Summit, who was arrested in connection with the shooting and was later identified as a member of the Latin Kings. Law enforcement zeroed in on the alleged gunman's street gang, which was suspected in drug activity on Chicago's Southwest Side as well as suburban Summit.

That triggered the raid by members of the FBI, Chicago and Summit police departments and the Cook County Sheriff's Police on Thursday.

Eight people were arrested and charged with a variety of drug and weapons offenses.