FBI Chicago, area law enforcement search for “Chicago Most Wanted” fugitives

CHICAGO (WGN) – On the heels of an operation to crack down on violent crime, federal and local law enforcement agencies are working to track down a few fugitives still on the run.

The seven men on the FBI Chicago’s recently launched “Chicago Most Wanted” list are accused of a slew of crimes ranging from weapons charges to carjacking, attempted first-degree murder, and murder.

The list stemmed from “Operation Summer Heat,” where the FBI Chicago, Illinois State Police, Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, and other agencies teamed up to target the most dangerous suspects wanted for violent crimes in their jurisdictions.

Over the course of four days from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15, the FBI Chicago said 25 people were taken into custody, without incident, across the region.

“The partnerships between our agencies enabled us to get some of the most violent offenders – those charged with homicide and habitual gun offenses – off the streets, making our communities safer,” wrote ISP Director Brendan Kelly.

The operation was a massive undertaking that required extensive planning and an immense number of resources.

“As a follow onto that, the idea was that we still had seven violent fugitives that were still on the loose, so the thought is that we could put them together, focus our efforts, kind of focus the public’s efforts and resources as well on trying to apprehend these seven individuals,” said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jeremy Resar.

Initially, there were eight, according to the FBI. Weeks after the conclusion of “Operation Summer Heat,” and before the launch of the new fugitive list to call attention to wanted suspects, many of whom have an extensive criminal history, the agency was able to strike one name off the list.

Calvin Hutchinson, 23, wanted for first-degree murder in a case out of south suburban Riverdale, was captured by police in Menasha, Wisconsin, more than three hours away.

The FBI Chicago said investigators with their agency, working with local police, were able to identify a home in Menasha, about 45 minutes outside of Green Bay, where Hutchinson was reportedly staying.

“We did this in conjunction with the Appleton Police Department because we weren’t sure where he was, so the tip came to both of us, but it turns out the suspect was in Menasha so our officers were able to find out where he was, identify him, confirm, and then they made the plan to take the open air takedown approach to get him into custody,” said Matthew Roe, community liaison officer for the City of Menasha.

As authorities prepared a plan to safely apprehend Hutchinson, including possible scenarios that could occur and other measures to keep the public and officers safe, he allegedly went for a walk in the middle of the night to a convenience store.

“We were able to come up with a plan of what’s called an open-air takedown, where officers basically converged on him from all sides,” said Roe.

Resar said it isn’t uncommon for fugitives to flee the area where the crime occurs, frequently crossing state and international borders, and emphasized this case highlights a perfect example of how agencies all over are working together to make the streets safer. Roe echoed the same point.

“It’s a team effort. This is not just one department that can do this,” said Roe. “This is just a great case of showing that interagency cooperation is crucial to capturing some fugitives.”

As Hutchinson was extradited back to Cook County to face a murder charge, the FBI Chicago hopes its most wanted list continues to get smaller, for the sake of public safety and accountability.

“Everyone on ‘Chicago Most Wanted’ is wanted for a dangerous offense and they should be considered dangerous to the public, and the sooner we can work to get them off the streets and into custody, the safer that our neighborhoods will be,” said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Goldberg.

The list of fugitives on “Chicago Most Wanted” includes Aron Barcenas, Julio Caeser Bernal, Nesta Gray, Gary Luellen, Joseph Matos, Giovanni Portillo, and Antonio Stigler.

According to authorities, two of the seven men are wanted in connection with the same crime. Barcenas and Bernal are charged with first-degree murder, accused in the drive-by shooting death of 14-year-old Erick Alfaro in May 2022 in unincorporated Elk Grove Township.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the case, said Alfaro was walking in the Blackhawk Estates modular home community, located in the 400 block of West Touhy, when suspects opened fire from a dark-colored SUV, killing the teen.

Nesta Gray is wanted in the murder of 16-year-old Jaiden Howard, who was found in the 14000 block of South Thornton Road in the Kickapoo Meadows Forest Preserve on Nov. 1, 2022. Howard was found with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Authorities also charged Jahqwan Castillo, 17, of Robbins with first-degree murder. He was brought into custody by the Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in 2023, while Gray remained on the run.

Gary Luellen is wanted in connection with a violent carjacking that took place in the 12600 block of South Halsted on April 23, 2023. Luellen and co-conspirators carjacked a victim at gunpoint by “force, violence, and intimidation,” according to the FBI. A reward of up to ,000 was previously announced, leading to the arrest of Luellen and his co-alleged accomplice.

Joseph “Trouble” Matos, 42, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Illinois National Guardsman Chrys Carvajal on July 3, 2021. In 2024, the FBI announced a reward of up to ,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of Matos.

Carvajal, just days away from his 20^th birthday, was reportedly walking to his car after a July 4^th weekend party when shots were fired from a passing vehicle. He was found on a sidewalk near North Lockwood Avenue and West Palmer Street in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

According to an indictment charging Gary “Gotti” Roberson, already in custody, and Matos with federal racketeering crimes, the pair is believed to have killed Carvajal to maintain and increase their positions in the Milwaukee Kings street gang, which operates on Chicago’s north side.

The FBI has described Matos as a white Hispanic man who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds. He has several tattoos: “M-Town Kings” on the right side of his neck; “1300” on the left side of his neck; “Move in Silence” on his right hand; “Trust no one” on his left hand; “Most Wanted” on his belly; “Heavensent, Hellbound” on his forearms; and “Jesus Christopher Matos” on his chest.

Also being sought among the “Chicago Most Wanted” is Antonio Stigler, who is accused of murdering a pregnant woman on Oct. 25, 2024, in the 400 block of West Pacesetter Parkway in Riverdale.

Giovanni Portillo rounds out the list of suspects the FBI is still seeking as part of its continued effort connected to “Operation Summer Heat.” He was charged in DuPage County in 2021, accused of shooting a man outside a Naperville restaurant that May in what is believed to have been a gang-related incident.

Prosecutors said Portillo fired at least 10 shots from a 9 mm gun, hitting the victim several times in the hand and lower torso. Portillo, a convicted felon, was taken into custody on two Class X felonies of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm, and in July 2021, someone posted the

.5 million bond on his behalf.

According to court records, Portillo managed to slip his ankle monitor and hasn’t been seen since. He was indicted on a violation of bail bond in Oct. 2021, according to court records.

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office, Douglas DePodesta, said the FBI and its local, state, and federal partners are utilizing every tool in the arsenal to hold people accountable and to track down those still at large.

“Together, we are signaling to criminals that there will be no refuge or safe haven from law enforcement’s reach,” DePodesta said.

Other agencies involved in the joint efforts weighed in.

“Partnership is the cornerstone of holding violent offenders accountable as we work to make our neighborhoods safer,” wrote CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling. “As we work with fellow law enforcement on these criminal investigations, we are asking the public to come forward with any information they have to assist in the apprehension of these suspects.”

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, whose department is involved in several of the cases involving fugitives on the list, shared this statement:

“Joint operations that leverage the resources of law enforcement agencies at all levels help ensure safer neighborhoods for the people of Cook County – especially when those who wreak violence and chaos on our streets are brought to justice…We look forward to continued partnerships with the FBI and our colleagues in state and local law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe.”

The FBI is asking anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. The agency said tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.

“Even if this person is a family member, a friend, we do have the ability to make this apprehension as safe as possible. It is so much safer than if this individual is apprehended on the highway, with a single officer, in the middle of the night,” said Resar. “I know it’s hard to see for people in that position, but I think in the long run it’s beneficial for all of us.”