Relative of suspect in Officer Luis Huesca's murder tried to dispose of service weapon: prosecutors
Caschaus Tate granted pre-trial release after caught on video committing unrelated Richton Park burglary, prosecutors say
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Standing in a Markham courtroom on Tuesday, Caschaus Tate listened quietly as a judge ordered that the 20-year-old be detained after prosecutors said that he had attempted to dispose of Officer Luis Huesca's service weapon just hours after being granted pre-trial release on an unrelated burglary in Richton Park.
That April 19 burglary was caught on video. Police said the crime was not quick, but was still calculated and effective.
Prosecutors said Caschaus Tate is one of the hooded men caught on surveillance video shattering the windows of the brand new Katie's Convenience store in the south suburb and hauling out an ATM full of thousands of dollars.
Police spotted, chased, and arrested Caschaus Tate and his alleged accomplice for burglary.
Prosecutors said Caschaus Tate was detained again on the afternoon of April 26 at a home near 108th Street and Hale in Morgan Park as they searched for a relative of his, Xavier Tate Jr., who has been charged with Huesca's murder.
The assistant state's attorney said upon officers' arrival, Caschaus Tate led them in to the living room before disappearing into his own bedroom, explaining that his girlfriend was there naked.
That is, according to prosecutors, when an officer watching the home from outside witnessed Caschaus Tate climbing out of a window and then throwing a Glock nine-millimeter handgun with a few serial numbers scratched off over the fence into the next door neighbor's yard. That weapon was later identified as Huesca's service weapon.
While the relationship between the two Tates has not been explained, prosecutors said that officers were led to the Morgan Park address after discovering Uber records showing that just five hours after Huesca's murder on April 21, Xavier Tate took an Uber there from 55th and Morgan.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Xavier Tate Jr., who investigators are still searching for. There's still a $100,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest, and investigators say he has ties to Chicago, Aurora, Champaign, Olympia Fields and Decatur.
Xavier Tate, Jr., is wanted for the murder of CPD Officer Luis Huesca.
Chicago Police Department
Crime Stoppers and ATF are offering a combined $25,000. The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, the FBI and the Fraternal Order of Police are offering a combined $75,000.
Anyone that has information is asked to call 1-800-535-STOP or the CPD hotline at 833-408-0069, or email tips@cookcountycrimestoppers.org. All tips are anonymous. Crime Stoppers will provide a code number to possibly redeem the reward.
Xavier Tate Jr., 22, has a tattoo on the right side of his neck of the word "majesty" under a crown, and additional tattoos on his chest and body, the FBI said. He has ties to Chicago, Aurora, Olympia Fields, Champaign and Decatur, Illinois. He may go by the nickname "Zay." His height is 5'11" and he weighs approximately 175 pounds.
Image courtesy of FBI:
CPD has circulated a two-minute video compilation from four distinct locations, showing a man they describe as a suspect, who police confirmed is Xavier Tate Jr., going from one gas station convenience store to another in the hours before the murder early Sunday morning.
Xavier Tate Jr., described as armed and dangerous, is then seen walking in the area near 55th Street and Kedzie Avenue, both just before and about 45 minutes after the murder.
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
