WCSO Press Releases

Over the past few weeks, the Will County Sheriff's Office has taken several reports from residents regarding phone calls stating that the resident has a warrant out for their arrest.  The caller identifies himself as a police officer from the Sheriff's department and informs the person that a warrant was issued for failing to appear for jury duty.  The resident is then directed to another phone number in order to arrange for money.  The phone number used by these callers has been reported at 815-524-1209.  This phone number is NOT associated with the Will County Sheriff's Office.  Residents who have filed reports have also stated that a name like 'Lieutenant Taylor or Lieutenant Tatum' has been used during the call.

The Sheriff's Office is reminding residents that they DO NOT conduct business over the phone.  They do not call to inform any individual that they have a warrant for their arrest.  All active Will County warrants can be verified by visiting www.willcountywarrants.com.

If you receive a phone call from these individuals, just hang up!  You can make a report to the Sheriff's office by calling 815-727-8575 or visit the website at www.willcosheriff.org and complete an on-line report.   -end- 

ILLINOIS SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION

WILL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

The Illinois Sheriff's Association is announcing that it will be awarding $54,500.00 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2017-2018 academic year.  The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only.  The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois.

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley will be awarding one scholarship for $1,000.  There will be no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, age, creed, color, sex or national origin.  The only limitations are that applicants must be permanent Illinois residents, the scholarship must be utilized at an institution of higher learning within Illinois, and students must be enrolled as a full time student during the 2017-18 school year (excluding summer session).

Applications are now available at www.ilsheriff.org for all counties in Illinois or visit the Will County Sheriff's Office website at www.willcosheriff.org.  Students must complete the application; answer the essay question, and return all documentation to Will County Sheriff's Office, Attn:  Scholarship Application, 14 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL  60432.   The application must be postmarked by March, 15, 2017.   -end-

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the promotion of Dale Santerelli as the Chief Deputy (Warden) of the Will County Adult Detention Facility.  Warden Santerelli is a 21 year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, beginning his career as a Correctional Deputy.  Warden Santerelli is highly respected within the entire department and has worked in all aspects of the jail including being a member of the Emergency Response Team for over 18 years.  Throughout his career he has moved up the ranks being promoted to Correctional Lieutenant in 2008.  Upon Sheriff Kelley taking office in 2014, Santerelli was promoted to Correctional Deputy Chief of Support Services at the ADF.

Warden Santerelli has completed several instructor level training courses and has educated correctional staff on various detention center topics throughout his career.  He is a graduate of Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Supervision of Police Personnel.

This promotion comes after the recent retirement of Chief Deputy (Warden) Brad Josephson.  Santerelli has been replaced by Dave Adams.  Correctional Deputy Chief of Support Services, Dave Adams, came to the position with 15 years of Will County ADF experience.  -end-

The Will County Sheriff's Office was notified around 2am this morning that the missing 16 year old boy from Beaver Den Trail in Homer Glen was found safe in Garfield County, Colorado.  Garfield County police contacted the Sheriff's Office after they made a traffic stop on a red, 2005 Jaguar, with only one headlight.  The Garfield County police took the boy into custody where he remains.  The parents were immediately notified by Will County Sheriff's deputies.  They will be traveling to Colorado for any potential court proceedings and to bring their son home.  At this time charges are pending in Garfield County.

During the search for the young man, sheriff's deputies were notified on November 30th at 1pm that a Jaguar had been stolen from the driveway of a residence in the 13000 block of W. 167th Street in Homer Glen.  Reports indicate that the vehicle was last observed by its owner in the driveway in the evening hours of 11/29/16.  Sheriff's detectives were actively investigating the location of the vehicle.  -end-

The Will County Sheriff's Office received a call last night at 9:45pm from Naperville Police requesting the Sheriff's Office to conduct a welfare check on a 16 year old male subject who lives on Beaver Den Trail in Homer Glen (Hidden Valley Subdivision).  Deputies were advised that the young man had been at church classes in Naperville with his mother when he left in the car and did not return.  A deputy arrived at the residence where the young man appeared calm, spoke with the deputy, and was at the kitchen table doing his homework.  When the deputy stepped outside to report that the young man was fine the young man left the residence out a side door and sped off in the vehicle.  He then crashed the vehicle about two blocks away at Beaver Den Trail and Oak Valley and took off running.

Several deputies arrived on scene and conducted a search of the neighborhood and nearby forest preserve.  Homer Fire personnel arrived and searched the area with their infrared equipment.  K-9 units arrived from Orland Park Police.  The search continued through most of the night and this morning the Will County Emergency Management Agency arrived on scene.  They have called in their volunteers for assistance.  An automated Citizens Alert has been dispatched to homes within a three mile radius.  Further agencies have been contacted and are expected to arrive soon.

The missing 16 year old male is described as white, 5'11" and 130 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.  He was wearing basketball type pants and a gray hoodie.  If anyone has any information or sees this young man, please call 911 or 815-727-8575.

No other details are available at this time.  An update will be given when appropriate.  -end-

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, travelers will hit Illinois roads to visit and celebrate with family and friends.  The Will County Sheriff's Office reminds all travelers to buckle up, whether they are heading across the state or just across town, to ensure a safe arrival and a happy holiday.

"The risk of being involved in a serious or deadly vehicle crash increases with the number of travelers on the roadways, and the long Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year," said Will County Sheriff's Sgt. Vince Gambino.  "I urge everyone traveling on our state's roads this holiday season to drive carefully, do not drive impaired and, always, buckle up - day or night."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when a front seat occupant of a passenger vehicle wears a seat belt properly, the risk of fatal injury goes down by 45%.  Yet many people still choose to not buckle up and roughly half of our state's and nation's roadway fatalities involved unbelted drivers and passengers.

"Seat belts are the single most important safety device in your vehicle.  They have saved countless lives and prevented countless numbers of injuries over the years," said Sgt. Gambino.  "They are designed to work with your vehicle's technology and keep you safe in the event of a crash."

Illinois law states that everyone, no matter the age or seating position, is required to wear a seat belt.  Children are required to ride in a car seat or booster seat until the age of 8.  Advocates still recommend that children use these seats beyond that age, until the seat belt fits properly as designed for adult occupants. 

November 14 thru 27 is the Illinois Click It or Ticket Campaign.  Buckle up, drive sober, and encourage your loved ones to do the same.  Wearing your seat belt is your best defense against an impaired, distracted or reckless driver.

For more information visit www.idot.illinois.gov

-end-