WCSO Press Releases

On 07/17/2020 at approximately 11:54 PM, Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 25000 block of Stoney Island in Unincorporated Crete Township for a disturbance at a party.  Information relayed to deputies indicated that several physical altercations were occurring at the property, and one or more individuals were observed with firearms.

Numerous vehicles were visible on the property and along the roadway by the initial responding deputy.  When the first deputy arrived, a large gathering of individuals was observed outside of the residence, and the deputy observed an individual open fire in the direction of partygoers from a distance.  It was estimated by personnel on scene that there was 150-200 individuals present at the party.  Upon shots being fired by a suspect, the large group of individuals began to fight each other.

Responding members with the Will County Sheriff’s Office, requested the assistance from additional police agencies to respond to the scene.  Other agencies that assisted the Will County Sheriff’s Office in securing the scene include personnel from the following police agencies; Beecher, Peotone, Steger, South Chicago Heights, Richton Park, Park Forest, Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Matteson, Crete, Chicago Heights, Orland Hills, and the St. John Indiana Police. 

As more police personnel arrived on scene, two gunshot wound victims were located inside of the residence.  Members of the Crete Fire Department and Crete Township Fire Department responded to the scene, and transported two victims. 

Deangelo Young (age 23) from Chicago, was transported to a local area hospital and was later pronounced deceased.  In addition, another victim was transported to a local area hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the chest.  A third victim was transported from the scene to a local area hospital by partygoers in stable condition.

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) with the Will County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and began to conduct the investigation.  Initial reports indicate that most, if not all individuals at the residence were not from the local area. 

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in helping to identify the suspects in this homicide investigation.  If anyone has information in regards to this death investigation case, the Will County Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to contact Detective Daryl Morse at 815-727-8574 at extension 4947.  You can also leave anonymous tips on the Will County Sheriff’s website at www.willcosheriff.org/enforcement/submit-a-crime-tip.  You can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers by telephone at 800-323-6734, or by computer at www.crimestoppersofwillcounty.org/submit-a-tip/. 

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Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce that the suspect in the homicide that occurred on 07/12/2020 in Unincorporated Lockport Township will not be charged with a crime, at this time. 

On 07/12/2020, at 9:36 A.M., Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 100 block of Pendleton Street in Unincorporated Lockport Township in reference to a medical emergency involving a gunshot victim.  Laraway Communications Center (LCC) advised responding deputies, that the person that dialed 911 was the person that shot the victim.  LCC further advised that the suspect was currently performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the victim.

Upon deputies arriving on scene, the suspect (age 76) was taken into custody, and the Lockport Township Fire Department transported the victim to a local area hospital.  The victim, Patrick Bernotas (age 36), was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators arrived on scene and began to conduct the investigation.  The residence where the incident occurred is in deplorable conditions.  It is of the opinion of the Will County Sheriff’s Office that it is unfit for occupancy. 

Numerous interviews were conducted on various individuals, the neighborhood was canvassed for potential witnesses, search warrants were executed, and evidence was collected on scene. 

Upon detectives interviewing the suspect, it was learned that Bernotas and the suspect got into a verbal argument over money owed for back rent, in the amount of $20,000.  The suspect wrote up a five-day notice of eviction and gave the document to Bernotas.  The suspect stated that this enraged Bernotas, and he threatened to harm 76-year-old suspect.

The suspect went into his bedroom, which is located on the lower level of the residence, as to avoid further conflict.  The suspect stated that he closed his bedroom door, and the argument continued through the partially closed door. 

The 76-year-old suspect was fearful that a physical altercation would occur, so he took out his loaded handgun which he stores in-between the cushion and an armrest of a chair.  The suspect placed the revolver on top of the chair.  The suspect stated that he heard Bernotas coming towards his room, so he picked up the revolver.  The suspect stated that Bernotas swung open the door in an aggressive manner.  The suspect, fearing that he was about to be battered, fired one round striking Bernotas in the chest.  The suspect stated that he was aiming for Bernotas' shoulder.    

The suspect stated that Bernotas retreated up the five stairs that lead to his bedroom, and Bernotas collapsed on a couch in the living room.  The suspect stated that he then dialed 911 to report the incident, and began performing CPR on Bernotas shortly thereafter.       

An autopsy was conducted on Patrick Bernotas on 07/13/2020 at the Will County Coroner’s Office.  The victim died, as a result of a close contact gunshot wound to the chest.  The suspect shot the victim with a Taurus Judge revolver, loaded with .410 shotgun shells and .45 Colt ammunition.  The suspect fired one round of .410 birdshot at close range, striking Bernotas in the chest on his left side. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted detectives in securing search warrants for the residence, as well as conducting a case review of the thorough investigation.  After reviewing the case, the State’s Attorney’s Office elected not to charge the suspect with a crime at this time.

Items of evidentiary value will be sent to the crime lab for analysis, and the case will remain open until the results of those tests and the results of the autopsy are available and Will County Coroner’s reports are complete.   

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On 07/12/2020, Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 100 block of Pendleton Street in Unincorporated Lockport Township in reference in reference to a medical emergency involving a gunshot victim.  Laraway Communications Center (LCC) advised responding deputies, that the person that dialed 911 was the person that shot the victim.  LCC further advised that the suspect was currently performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the victim.

Upon deputies arriving on scene, the suspect was taken into custody, and the Lockport Township Fire Department transported the victim to a local area hospital.  The victim (age 36), was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.  The victim’s identity is being withheld at this time, pending proper notification to the family.

The suspect is currently in custody with the Will County Sheriff’s Office, and is cooperating with the investigation.  Further information will be provided when appropriate.     

On 04/02/2020, at approximately 8:00 PM, deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 400 block of Bruce Road in Lockport Township for a welfare check.  Upon deputies arriving on scene, they observed two separate individuals laying on the floor of the residence, with obvious signs of trauma to their heads. 

All of the doors and windows of the residence were locked from the inside.  Police and fire personnel forced entry into the residence.  Deputies located Patrick Jesernik, age 54, and Cheryl Schriefer, age 59, in separate rooms of the residence, both deceased.  Both individuals had a pooling of blood formed around their heads.  A loaded revolver, containing two spent shell casings and three live rounds were located near Patrick’s body.  There were no signs of a struggle, and the home was neat and orderly.

The complainant advised deputies on scene that he was contacted by the parents of Patrick Jesernik, who asked him to check on their son because they had not heard from him. 

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators from the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the residence and began to process the scene and conduct a death investigation.  The Will County Coroner’s Office arrived on scene and pronounced both subjects deceased. 

A check of the address was conducted by detectives which showed no previous calls for service in regards to domestic disputes.   A check of both deceased individuals was also conducted which showed very limited police contact.

Family arrived on scene and stated that Patrick had been scared that he and Cheryl had contracted the COVID-19 virus, and that Cheryl was tested two days ago.  It was reported that Cheryl was having a hard time breathing.  The family stated that to their knowledge, she had not received the test result.    

On 04/03/2020, an autopsy was conducted on both deceased individuals.  Both subjects died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head.  Cheryl Schriefer was shot in the back of the head at close range, and her death is ruled as a homicide.  Patrick died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his death is ruled as a suicide.  Both Cheryl and Patrick tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of service calls that Deputies have been responding to, involve domestic disputes and crisis intervention calls.  As a reminder, if anyone is a victim of a domestic violence situation, the Will County Courthouse remains open for individuals in need of obtaining an order of protection.  The Will County Courthouse is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 AM-3:30 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM for the issuance of orders of protection.

If anyone requires assistance in obtaining an order of protection, seeks additional resources or information in regards to domestic violence, you can contact Will County Sheriff’s Office Police Social Worker, Bonnie McPhillips at 815-724-1878. 

In addition, you can reach out to Guardian Angel Community Service Groundwork 24 hour domestic violence hotline at 815-729-1228 or reach out to the Will County Crisis Hotline online at 815-722-3344 or online at http://www.willfinduhelp.org/.

On 07/27/2019, at approximately 5:15 AM, Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of shots fired on the 200 block of Reichman Street in Joliet Township. When deputies arrived on scene, they located Tamala R. Clayton, age 44, deceased inside of the residence.

Witnesses to the incident advised detectives that sometime shortly after 5:00 AM, someone began pounding on the front door of the residence. Witnesses stated that Tamala Clayton opened the front door of the residence, and unknown person(s) immediately fired numerous rounds in her direction. Tamala Clayton was shot multiple times as she opened the front door of the residence.

Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office have been working throughout the weekend on this investigation, and are seeking the assistance of the public. The Will County Sheriff’s Office are asking any resident or business that has surveillance videos or reports of suspicious activity between the hours of 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM on 07/27/2019 to contact the Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit at (815) 727-8574. The area of focus is specifically from 4^th Avenue to Doris Avenue between Route 52 (Chicago Street) and Richards Street in Joliet.

Anyone with information can also submit a tip on the Will County Sheriff’s Office website located at www.willcosheriff.org by going to the online forms section, or by contacting Will County Crime Stoppers at (800) 323-6734 or online at https://crimestoppersofwillcounty.org. All tips received can remain anonymous.

The investigation is ongoing.

On 06/03/2019, at approximately 10:25 AM, deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 26000 of South Klemme Road in Unincorporated Create Township in reference to a welfare check. 

The relative that had contacted the Sheriff’s Office had advised that the residents had not shown up to work, and were not picking up their phones.  Deputies were provided access to the residence by a family member.  Upon deputies making entry into the attached garage, deputies located a female victim, age 59, inside of a vehicle. 

The female victim advised deputies that her husband was in the trunk of the vehicle.  The female victim was transported to a local area hospital and is in stable condition.  The male victim, age 63, was pronounced deceased on the scene. 

The female victim stated that two masked males entered her residence the previous evening for the purposes of robbing the victims. 

This is an active death investigation, that is in its early stages.  When appropriate, the Will County Sheriff’s Office will put out additional information.