March 28, 2024
Crime & Courts

Bond set at $300,000 for Villa Park man accused of selling guns to undercover cops

Bond was set at $300,000 Friday for a Villa Park man accused of illegally selling multiple guns on four separate occasions to undercover police officers.

Bruce Berrier, 21, of the 900 block of W. North Avenue, is charged with one count of gunrunning , one count of possession of a firearm by a street gang member and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office news release.

Through the course of an ongoing investigation conducted by the North Central Narcotics Task Force into illegal activities, Barrier was identified as a suspect in the illegal selling of guns in DuPage County.

From Sept. 28 through Nov. 24, Berrier is alleged to have illegally sold four guns, ammunition and magazines, including one extended magazine, to undercover officers on four separate occasions, according to the release.

The sales allegedly took place in Roselle and Hanover Park. On Dec. 3, authorities executed a search warrant at Berrier’s home. He was taken into custody at this time.

“With gun violence continuing to plague our streets, we must do all we can to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of convicted felons, such as Mr. Berrier,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “But that is only part of our mission. We must also pro-actively seek out, charge and prosecute those who would illegally sell weapons, as alleged in this case.

"I commend the outstanding work of the North Central Narcotics Task Force into Mr. Barrier’s alleged illegal gun sales which may have resulted in preventing four additional firearms from finding their way into the wrong hands."

Berrier’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21 for arraignment.