A 23-year-old Aurora man and a 20-year-old St. Charles man each face firearms-related and other charges after threatening police officers with a handgun during a Saturday incident on the city’s Southeast side.

Rene Muro, of the 300 block of Beach Street in Aurora, and Erik Esparza, of St. Charles,  were charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a gang member and resisting/obstructing a police officer.

Muro was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Both are currently being held at the Kane County Jail.

Muro’s bond was set at $50,000 with a July 15 court date. Esparza’s bond was set at $20,000 with a court date of July 23.

Two members of the Aurora Police Special Operations Group were working in the 1000 block of Pearl Street on Saturday when they observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by four male subjects. Two suspects exited the vehicle and were spotted in a nearby yard in possession of handguns.

Police stopped the vehicle and attempted to make contact with the suspects who raised handguns and pointed them toward the officers.

One of the officers discharged his duty weapon in the direction of the suspects, who proceeded to run through nearby yards with police in pursuit.

One suspect was quickly apprehended. The other was found later with assistance of Montgomery Police and Kane County Sheriff’s Deputies and sheriff’s K-9 unit.

Neither suspect was struck by a weapon although the second suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a dog bite to his arm.

After an extensive search police recovered both weapons. Aurora Police continue to investigate the incident.

— Two men face gang-related firearms charges after threatening Aurora cops —