Rockford gang arrests: Four charged after stolen weapons found following police pursuit

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Four people, including two teenagers, were arrested in a gang-related operation in Rockford Friday night that resulted in a crash and the recovery of stolen weapons.

According to Rockford Police, officers with the department’s Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) unit attempted to stop a suspect vehicle in a prior chase on Friday night around 7 p.m.

The officers spotted the vehicle near Broadway and 25th Street and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver sped off.

Officers used StarChase technology to deploy a GPS tracking device to the car, which later crashed into another vehicle at Broadway and Parkside, continuing into the parking lot of the Circle K gas station at 3819 Broadway.

Four people, including two 17-year-old juveniles, were arrested.

Police said inside the car, they found three handguns, one with an extended magazine and a laser attachment, and another that was reported stolen out of Beloit.

Tarrel Gardner, 18, of Belvidere, was charged with Aggravated Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Gang Member.

Jasmine Gatch, 18, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, was charged with Aggravated Fleeing, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and No Valid Driver’s License.

A 17-year-old teen from Rockford was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Gang Member, Possession of Ammunition, and No Valid Firearm Owner’s Identification.

Another Rockford 17-year-old was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and No Valid Firearm Owner’s Identification.