WCSO Press Releases

The Will County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Shorewood Police Department, will be conducting a Roadside Safety Checkpoint on Saturday Oct. 29^th from 11:30pm to 3:30am.  The location will be at the corner of Jefferson St. and Mary St. in Shorewood.  The purpose of the checkpoint will be to promote roadway safety through DUI enforcement.  By having a random and periodic roadside safety checkpoint, both departments hope to instill in the public our intent to dissuade the public from drinking and driving.  -end-

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help for any information regarding the murder of Oscar Garrido-Castro on Sunday, October 16^th.   Mr. Garrido-Castro was with Javier Heredia-Rios at Mora Builders, 12145 W. 159^th Street in Homer Glen between 3pm and 4pm when an argument escalated between the two and led to Garrido-Castro’s death.  Detectives have information confirming that the homicide occurred outside the building and believe that many people were in the area at the time of the incident. 

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have been frequenting the businesses in the area of 159^th Street, west of Will-Cook Road, particularly in the Will-Cook Ace Plaza, and may have witnessed anything unusual between the hours of 3pm and 4pm to please contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 815-727-8574.    -end-

  October 17, 2016:    This morning Will County Communications received a call from a citizen who reported an abandoned vehicle on Rosalind Avenue, west of Farrell Road, Joliet Township.  Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene where a 2004 GMC Envoy was located.  Upon a search of the vehicle deputies discovered a deceased person in the back of the vehicle.   The unidentified individual is believed to be a male subject.  The Will County Coroner’s Office took possession of the body and will perform an autopsy later today. 

  At this preliminary stage of the case it is being considered a death investigation.  Additional information will be released as further evidence is processed. 

   We are asking the public if they know anything about this incident or if anyone saw anything suspicious in this area to please notify the Will County Sheriff’s Office at 815-727-8575.   -end-

The Will County Sheriff's Office is reminding residents to lock their vehicles after seeing an increase of burglary to motor vehicles being reported within the last few weeks.  The majority of cars that are burglarized are unlocked.  These types of thefts are considered a 'crime of opportunity'.  If you leave valuables inside your vehicle and the doors/windows are left open the criminal can be in and out within seconds.   

Remembering to lock car doors is one of the simplest ways for residents to avoid becoming a victim. Even if you are leaving your vehicle for just a minute or two to run back into your house, run into the bank or gas station,  make sure you turn off your vehicle and lock the doors.

By following a few simple tips you can avoid becoming an easy target:

   -Do not leave anything of value inside your car.  This includes checkbooks, cell phones, chargers, GPS units, loose change...even these items are a guaranteed prize for a criminal.

  -If you cannot take something of value with you when you exit your vehicle, place it in your trunk or at the least, hide it out of plain sight.

  -If you see something, say something!  Please report any suspicious individuals in your neighborhood who may be scouting out the area for easy targets.  If you are out-and-about and see suspicious subjects walking through parking lots looking into vehicles, call your local police department. 

No one wants to become a victim.....Remember, LOCK YOUR CARS!

-END-  

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The Will County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a school bus accident today at 10:57am to Gougar Road, just north of Shady Lane, Lockport Township.  Homer Township Fire personnel was on the scene along with the principal, three teachers, and 23 students from Oak Prairie Junior High which is located just down the road on Gougar.   The driver of the First Student Bus stated that he had just left the school after picking up the 7th and 8th grade students and was traveling southbound when he momentarily took his eyes off the road.  He then swerved into a guard rail and went off the roadway about 30 feet into a wooded area.  The driver and students were standing outside the bus when deputies arrived. 

Four students complained of minor shoulder pain; one was transported to Silver Cross Hospital and the other three were released by emergency personnel to the principal.  Once it was determined that there were no other injuries First Student Bus Company sent another bus and the students were then transported home.    Oak Prairie Jr. High students were being transported home from an early release day at the school.   

No citations were issued.

-end-