Former Algonquin resident charged in 2014 murder, taken into custody in Colorado

ALGONQUIN – Two men, formerly of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills, have been charged in a case involving the murdering and robbing of a Bartlett man, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney Office.

Police said that on Aug. 9, 2014, Keith K. Crawford, 36, of Bartlett left his home and said he was going to a party in unincorporated West Dundee. He was last seen leaving the party Aug. 10, 2014, police said, and family members reported him missing Aug. 11, 2014.

According to Kane County prosecutors, Crawford was killed with a gun.

A former Algonquin man, Gary M. Bennett, 36, now of Denver, Colorado, has been charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and concealing a homicide in connection with the case, according to the news release.

His most serious charge, a Class M felony, could result in up to 60 years in prison.

Joan Sebastian Vado-Bonilla, 28, of West Dundee, formerly of Lake in the Hills, was charged with concealment of a homicidal death, a Class 3 felony that could result in up to five years in prison, according to the release.

Bennett was taken into custody Thursday in Denver by members of the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Denver Police Department before being extradited to Kane County, according to the release. His bail was set at $5 million.

Vado-Bonilla was taken into custody Thursday in West Dundee by the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force and was scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon, according to the release. His bail was set at $500,000.

“I am grateful that we have been able to get some answers for Keith Crawford’s family,” West Dundee Police Chief Andy Wieteska said in the release. “They have been waiting a long time. We have put thousands of man hours into what has been an exhaustive investigation, and we continue to work on this case.”

The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information can contact the West Dundee Police Department at 847-551-3810, anonymously call 847-586-5600 or email stopcrime@wdundee.org.

Editor's note: This story has been changed due to a correction on Bennett's most serious charge and the amount of time in prison it could result in.