36 Firearms Seized in Gunrunning Bust

By Joe Vince

The following is a press release sent out by the Illinois State Police:

Illinois State Police officials announced the arrest of two subjects following a bust that netted dozens of illegal weapons and multiple rounds of ammunition. The illegal operation was uncovered following an extensive investigation of two subjects suspected of illegally selling firearms out of a residence in Tinley Park, Illinois.

The collaborative investigation that lead to the arrest of the subjects and seizure of illegal firearms included agents from the Illinois State Police Firearms Investigation Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chicago Police Department, Tinley Park Police Department and Orland Park Police Department.

On Friday, August 1, 2014, based on intelligence gathered during the investigation, agents executed arrest warrants for Thomas J. Burke, 42, of Orland Park, Illinois and Daryl J. Mrkvicka, 72, of Tinley Park. A search of Mrkvicka’s residence resulted in 36 firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition being seized. Both subjects were taken into custody without incident.

“The operation’s success is a result of the strong collaboration of law enforcement resources solely targeted at preventing straw purchases, reducing gun violence, and eliminating the number of illegal firearms entering our communities,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau. “Because of the hard work of all the officers involved in this investigation, 36 guns have been seized and will never hit the streets or be used against innocent victims,” added Grau.

Mrkvicka was charged with Unlawful Sale of Firearms and Gunrunning. Burke was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Gunrunning, Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Sale of Firearms and Solicitation to Deface Identification Markings of a Firearm. Both subjects were detained at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.