WCSO Press Releases

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a suspicious death.  On 11/12/2018, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Jefferson Street and Eden Lane in reference to a found body.  The area that was responded to, is a heavily wooded area located on the north side of Jefferson Street between Essington Road and Houbolt Road near the Woodland Cemetery. 

At approximately 9:00 AM, a hunter discovered the body of a deceased individual.  The body was located approximately 500 feet from the roadway in the wooded area.  The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from the public in trying to identify any suspicious behaviors observed in this area occurring within the last 36 hours. 

During this investigation, a portion of Jefferson Street in Joliet was briefly closed down from Houbolt Road to Essington Road for approximately one hour.  West bound Jefferson Street in this area is currently down to one lane at this time.  The Will County Sheriff’s Office anticipates this lane closure to remain in effect until the conclusion of the crime scene investigation. 

If you have any information in regards to this investigation, please contact the Will County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division at 815-727-8574.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office will provide periodic updates in regards to this investigation when appropriate.        

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is ready to receive those unused, unwanted, and expired prescription medications that residents no longer want or need.  Sponsored by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, the new MedReturn Drug Collection Unit was installed last week in the lobby of the Will County Sheriff’s Public Safety Complex, located at 16911 W. Laraway Road in Joliet. 

This program is an effort to provide residents with a convenient way to dispose of medications safely and non-hazardous.  Several studies in the United States have found that many pharmaceuticals survive through our water treatment facilities and remain in our drinking water.  Flushing or throwing medications in the garbage is no longer advised and strongly discouraged. 

Who can participate?  Any Will County resident.  Who cannot participate?  Nursing homes, clinics, doctors’ offices, or other businesses, which distribute medications.

Accepted types of medications include pills, salves, gels, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, vitamins, and liquids in original containers. 

Not-Accepted types of medications include needles, aerosols, inhalers, IV bags, and any type of liquid with a leaking container. 

Please take the time to properly dispose of your old medications! 

Lobby hours are from 8am to 4pm – Monday thru Friday.    -end-

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Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is proud to announce the receipt of a $500,000 grant for measures to increase safety and security at all Homer Community Consolidated School District 33-C, in Homer Glen. In early 2017, Homer 33C District staff approached the Sheriff’s Office about an opportunity to receive grant funds through the US Department of Justice, 2018 COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) STOP School Violence Prevention Program.

 The requirement of the grant was for the school district to approach their law enforcement agency and request collaboration for writing and submitting the grant on their behalf.   Homer School contacted Sheriff Mike Kelley who enthusiastically accepted the undertaking.  Sheriff Kelley stated, “Over the past few years, the Sheriff’s Office has increased their commitment to preventing school violence.  School Resource Officers have been in our schools for several years, but with the increase in school violence nationwide, we have made it one of our priorities.  We now utilize our Training Division deputies to hold Active Shooter/Rescue Task Force training and other specific training for school personnel.  The $500,000 grant funds fall directly in line with our goals and amplify assurance to school personnel, students, parents, and visitors.   We could not be more pleased about this!”

In the fall of 2017, specific needs were identified in the seven Homer 33-C facilities through an inter-governmental security assessment with the Sheriff’s Office, Lockport Police Department, area fire departments and Homer 33C personnel. This spring, Homer 33C retained Tria Architecture who completed a district-wide security assessment.  The following measures were identified as being crucial to the safety and security of the Homer 33C schools and will be added or upgraded:  secure vestibules, signage access control and card reader devices, intercoms and public announcement systems, security panels and access control modules, and revise main office designs.  The total project budget for these improvements was estimated at $1,380,913.00. Homer 33C has agreed to fund the remaining amount of $880,913.00.

Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to extend a special thank you to Will County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Nat Freeman who worked diligently on securing this grant and Lois Mayer, for her assistance. Thank you is also extended to Karen Norville, Program & Grant Coordinator for Homer 33C, Glen Wysong, Director of Building & Grounds Homer 33C, Lockport Chief Terry Lemming, for his support, and James Petrakos of Tria Architecture. 

The Will County Sheriff’s Office was one of seven DOJ, COPS, STOP School Violence Prevention grants that was awarded in Illinois.      -end-

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 The Will County Sheriff’s Office, Investigation Division, is seeking help from the public in identifying two individuals who were involved in three recent gas station armed robberies.

The robberies occurred on June 24^th, July 24^th, and September 18^th.  The June 24^th incident and the September 18^th incident took place at the Speedway Gas Station, 7218 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort Township.  The July 24^th incident occurred at the Gas N’Wash, located at 19420 S. Harlem Avenue in Frankfort Township.  Two incidents occurred around 2:15am and one occurred at 5:15am. 

  Sheriff’s detectives have reason to believe that all three of these robberies took place by the same two individuals.   The male/black is described as about 5’7” tall, in his late thirties, with a small beard and goatee and has a medium build.   He may be missing a bottom front tooth. The female/black is described as about 5’8”tall with a slim build and in her early 30’s.   

On each occurrence, the couple arrived to the gas station in a newer model, cranberry colored Cadillac (CTS or STS).    

 No employee was injured in these incidents.

 Detectives are asking the public to also review the video on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/WillCountySheriff/  

If you can identify the subjects, please call the Sheriff’s Investigation Division at 815-727-8574.  

*2 photos attached*

 -end-

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The Will County Sheriff's Office has been notified by the Lemont Police Department that residents have recently reported that they have been in contact with asphalt contracting scammers.  This type of scam is also referred to as a Gypsy Scam, in that these individuals will hit a specific area or neighborhood and once they have worn out their efforts, they pick up and move to the next town or state.  This group of men approach a home and smooth talk the homeowner into allowing them to reseal their asphalt driveway.  These people are very persuasive and typically target the elderly population.  Their sales pitch can include telling the homeowner that they will give them a 'cut rate price'  just for today; or they were working in the area and saw that your driveway needs resealing.  This group usually uses cut-rate products and also asks for payment before they begin in the way of cash or a check made out to cash. 

Here are some other things to consider:  

*If you did not personally call a seal coating contractor, do not hire one that comes to your door.

*Always sign a contract and do your homework to be sure the contractor is reputable.  Just because they may have appropriate work clothing, a truck with a name on it, and sealcoating equipment, does not make them reputable. 

*If these people come to your door, do not engage in conversation, just shut the door. 

*If you have elderly relatives or neighbors, please take the time to school them regarding this scam.  The reason these Gypsies target the elderly is because they can be easily persuaded into trusting them.  

*If you see something, say something!  Report any suspicious trucks or vehicles in your neighborhood to your local police department.  

Although no formal reports have been documented in Will County please be aware that they are in the area of Lemont.  These groups are typically transients;  they will hit an area and move on to the next town. 

Awareness is key!

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The Will County Sheriff's Office is announcing that it has begun its traffic safety campaign focusing on drunk, unbuckled and distracted drivers.   The high-visibility crackdown began August 20th and will run through the Labor Day weekend until September 4th. 

The Will County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Illinois State Police and other local law enforcement agencies to increase this effort.  Will County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Lakomiak stated, "This isn't about writing tickets or making arrests.  This is about saving lives and helping people realize impaired driving can be fatal.  It's a matter of life or death."

This Labor Day weekend, remember to designate a sober driver and don't let friends or family drive drunk.  Buckle up and put your cell phone away while driving!  Help keep our roads safe!

The Illinois Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is administered and funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal dollars managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.   -end-