Bedford Park man charged in fatal Bridgeview shooting, alleged lover charged with soliciting murder, police say

A Cook County judge on Saturday detained a Bedford Park man on a murder charge tied to the apparent ambush slaying of a romantic rival just hours before authorities accused his alleged lover of soliciting the homicide.

Anthony Calderon, 20, faces a single count of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Arturo Cantu.

Several hours after Calderon appeared in court, Bridgeview police on Saturday night announced that Cantu’s girlfriend, Agnieszka Rydzewski, 33, of Bridgeview, was charged with solicitation to commit murder.

In announcing charges, a police spokesman said an investigation revealed that Rydzewski, who dated Cantu, plotted his death with Calderon, her co-worker at a local McDonald’s and lover.

Bridgeview police found Cantu, 39, shot twice as he left his apartment in the 7300 Block of 79th Street around 5 a.m. Wednesday as he left his home for work. He had remote-started his car and was confronted as he approached the vehicle.

His body was found on the side of his apartment building and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Officers used video footage from nearby businesses to identify Calderon and his vehicle at the scene.

A search of Cantu’s phone led police to Rydzewski, where they found messages that suggested problems in their relationship, according to court records.

Rydzewski granted investigators access to her phone and messages, where authorities found conversations between her and Calderon that included “deleted phone call conversations and text messages that contained information indicating a romantic relationship,” according to court records.

Following his arrest Friday, Calderon gave investigators a full confession and provided the location of the 9mm Glock believed to have been used in the homicide, authorities said. Calderon also allegedly told at least one other person about the shooting.

In court Saturday, Judge David Kelly at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building ordered Calderon detained as a threat to the public, noting that the shooting appeared targeted and premeditated.

Calderon is scheduled to return to court Tuesday. Rydzewski was expected to appear before a judge on Sunday.