Rockford Safety Concerns: Young Offenders Involved In Serious Crimes

A weekend of police activity in Rockford has raised concerns about safety and the prevalence of young offenders involved in serious crimes.

Two separate incidents on Friday and Saturday resulted in multiple arrests, with suspects aged 20 or younger. Rockford Police SCOPE officers were at the forefront of the investigations, recovering several firearms and bringing charges against multiple individuals.

Friday Night Traffic Stop Leads to Weapon Charges

According to a press release, Rockford Police SCOPE officers conducted a traffic stop Friday night (10/18) just before 11 pm at the Shell gas station on 2233 Kishwaukee Street.

The vehicle involved had four occupants, all of whom were subject to investigation. Officers recovered three loaded handguns from inside the vehicle.

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Three of the vehicle's occupants, all Rockford residents aged 19 or 20, now face serious charges. Zyhaire Ward, 19, was charged as an Armed Habitual Criminal and faces additional counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and No Valid FOID.

Keveyon Tavarres, 18, and Malachi Brunner, 20, were both charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and No Valid FOID.

Saturday Attempted Home Invasion Arrests

The following day, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, officers on patrol in the area of N. Horsman and Auburn Streets observed three suspects linked to an attempted home invasion.

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When officers approached, the suspects fled but were apprehended a short time later. During the investigation, a handgun reported stolen from Chicago was recovered.

Two 16-year-old juveniles were among those arrested. One was charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Resisting Arrest.

The other juvenile faced charges of Aggravated Assault, Criminal Trespass, and Resisting Arrest. A third individual, Jacarius Rhodes, 20, was charged with Disorderly Conduct.

Community Urged to Report Information

The involvement of such young offenders in serious crimes has heightened concerns for community safety.

Rockford Police continue to call on the public for assistance. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900, via Facebook (@RockfordIllinoisPoliceDepartment), or Twitter (@RockfordPD).

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Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang