A man accused of killing two people in separate incidents while being regularly released on recognizance bonds in 2018 has been sentenced to 51 years in prison, according to court records.
Eduardo Venegas, 26, pled guilty to armed robbery with a firearm in the killing of Rigoberto Rodriguez, 23, and second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Dylan Zavala, 18.
The story began in July 2018, when Chicago police officers apprehended Venegas for allegedly fleeing a stolen vehicle. He was released on his recognizance bond.
Zavala was discovered shot dead in an alley behind the 2900 block of West Pershing Road in Brighton Park at around 8:10 a.m. exactly two weeks later on August 10. Police arrested Venegas around seven hours after the incident, but not for murder. Investigators would not link him to Zavala’s murder for another six months. Instead, he was charged with an unrelated felony narcotics offense and freed on recognizance bond.
Venegas was arrested again in November 2018 after reportedly getting out of a stolen automobile and fleeing authorities who tried to stop him for a traffic infraction, according to a CPD report. By that point, prosecutors had dropped the other two charges, and Venegas was released on recognizance bail once more.
Less than a month later, on December 7, Venegas fatally shot Rodriguez, a former buddy, according to authorities. They had a falling out weeks before when Rodriguez and another person mugged Venegas and stole his necklace, according to authorities.
On the day of the shooting, Rodriguez went to Venegas’ house, and the two decided to fight outside, according to prosecutors. During the confrontation, Venegas drew a revolver and shot Rodriguez several times before taking his jewelry. Court records show that police discovered the murder weapon and Rodriguez’s necklace inside Venegas’ residence. According to a CPD investigation, Venegas admitted to shooting Rodriguez and identified himself as a member of the Two Six street gang.
Three months after accusing Venegas with Rodriguez’s murder, authorities charged him with Zavala’s murder as well.
Venegas later pled guilty to armed robbery with a firearm in the Rodriguez case and second-degree murder in Zavala’s death. Judge Michael McHale imposed consecutive jail sentences of 31 years for armed robbery and 20 years for murder, for a total of 51 years. Under state law, punishments will be reduced by 50%. Venegas will also be credited for the 2,964 days served in the Cook County Jail. His parole date is set for January 5, 2044.
Leave a Reply