Three men and two women have been arrested after a brutal robbery and murder outside La Cueva, a popular bar that hosts drag shows and attracts a largely Latino gay and transgender clientele on Chicago's Southwest Side. The victim has been identified as male.
Twenty-eight-year-old Gumaro Chavez died of blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds in the early Saturday morning attack, reports the Sun-Times.
Crystal Cruz, 28; Ramiro Carrillo, 21; Victor Redding, 21; Jesus Cabrales, 25, and Yessenia Torres, 25 are charged with two counts each of first-degree murde, Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said. Torres was ordered held on $750,000 bond on Tuesday while the others were denied bond, Simonton said. All five will appear for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 7.
Chavez left La Cueva, a transgender bar, about 2:15 a.m. Saturday with the two women, and went to his car. ... That’s when Cabrales and Redding approached. Cabrales opened the door and began striking Chavez, pulling him out of the car, prosecutors allege. They repeatedly struck Chavez in the head and tried to take money from him.
Cabrales, armed with a knife, allegedly stabbed Chavez multiple time, while Carillo kicked him. During the beating, Torres left the car, returning shortly after to take a bag of beer from the back seat, according to court records. .. Prosecutors did not detail whether Chavez was targeted or whether his attendance at a transgender bar played a role in the crime.
The suspects later ransacked Chavez's vehicle, apartment and [a]fter the murder, Cruz and Torres went to another club and then a McDonald’s," adds the newspaper.
La Cueva has open since 1972 and has been described as the "oldest Latino drag club in the country." In the past year, community activists have organized protests and called for its closure. Opponents claim there is rampant drug dealing and prostitution on its premises and outside the club.
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I wonder what excuse they're going to have for attacking and MURDERING someone.
Posted by: Kevin P. | 21 September 2011 at 16:45