WCSO Press Releases

    Will County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a Frankfort Township residence on Monday afternoon, (2/13/17), in reference to a report that Daniel S. Delia had left the home and not returned.  Family members advised deputies that Daniel had been recently diagnosed with a terminal illness and they were concerned about his safety.  Daniel's vehicle was also missing, along with a firearm.  Daniel's phone, wallet, and a note addressed to his family was left at the residence.

Sheriff's deputies have been searching for Delia since Monday and have been unsuccessful.  Sheriff's deputies and detectives have searched the immediate area of Frankfort Township to the Indiana State line.  Detectives continue to search areas that Daniel was known to frequent and he has not been located. 

The Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating Mr. Delia.  He is described as a male, white, age 53.  His vehicle is a 2014 black Ford F-150 with Illinois license plate #1497997.  A black hi-cap is attached to the rear of the truck. 

If anyone has any information or if you observe this vehicle, please contact your local police department or the Will County Sheriff's Office, Investigations Unit, at 815-727-8575.   -end- 

**Photos attached**

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Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the arrest of three individuals suspected of trafficking illegal drugs from Texas, through Will County, and  into the Chicago area.  Yesterday, February 2, 2017, after receiving information from another law enforcement agency, Will County Sheriff's deputies stopped two vehicles near I-57 and Wilmington-Peotone Road.  While deputies spoke with the subjects they appeared evasive in their answers to routine questions.  The Sheriff's office K-9 Unit was called to the scene where the dogs indicated the possible presence of illegal drugs on one of the vehicles.  Deputies performed a search and recovered 9 kilo's of cocaine.

During questioning it was determined that both vehicles and all three occupants were involved in the incident.    All three were arrested and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.  They are awaiting bond court. 

Estimated street value of the seized cocaine is over $200,000.00.

Arrested was:

1)  Jose E. Lopez of 2834 W. 40th Street, Chicago   (D/B:  7/31/76)

Lopez was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, improper turn signal and expired driver's license.

2)  Ernesto Zuniga of 1804 Mayfair Avenue, Chicago (D/B: 6/21/66)

Zuniga was charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

3)  Adrian Montanez of 2717 S. Spaulding Avenue, Chicago  (D/B: 2/7/73)

Montanez was charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

-end-

photos attached

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The Will County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Traffic Unit now have a new tool for processing scenes. One of only three in the state of Illinois, the Sheriff’s Office purchased a Faro Focus 3-D Laser Scanner to assist our investigators at traffic crashes and crime scenes. Compared to the Total Station, which was a two-man job with only 2-D scanning images and took hours at a scene to scan, the Faro Focus scans in 3-D, is light-weight, compact, is a one man job, and an entire scene can be scanned in less than half the time. The new technology provided by this scanner takes the images and creates a virtual map of the entire area. Measurements between objects are detailed within 2 millimeters and are automatically built in; accident reconstruction is made clear; blood splatter can be measured and becomes more visible; trajectory of bullet paths can be followed with precise accuracy and re-creations of a path a suspect took during the crime can also be developed. The scanner also allows 3-D images in greyscale and in total darkness. It is controlled by a touchscreen and has the capability to be linked to a smartphone or a computer. 

            Crime Scene Investigator Sgt. Jeremy Zdzinicki, who did the research and spearheaded the proposal stated, “Our main objective is for courtroom trials. It’s a great new tool for law enforcement to build their case and for the State’s Attorneys who prosecute them. This equipment takes the judge and jury right to the scene as if they were there. ”

     For the past week, three deputies from the Crime Scene Unit and three deputies from the Traffic Unit have been in the process of a 40 hour training with instructor David Dustin. Dustin is President of Dustin Forensics where the scanner was purchased. Once the courses are complete the scanner will be put to use.

    In the future the Sheriff’s Office plans to be pro-active in using the scanner in schools and other high security buildings in Will County in case of an emergency situation. Instead of using the current 2-D blueprints of a building, this could potentially save officers critical time, give them pertinent information and give them an accurate picture of what an area actually looks like before entering it.   

Photo 1:  Sgt. Jeremy Zdzinicki (blue shirt/tie) with Instructor David Dustin

Photo 2:  Dustin showing a virtual scan of a scene

Photo 3:  Scan in total darkness

Photo 4:  Traffic deputies in training 

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A house has exploded at 14145 S. Parker Road in Homer Township.  A robo-call has been sent out for evacuation of the area within a half mile radius of the residence.  People are being asked to leave their homes immediately within this range.  Homer Village Hall is open for evacuated residents.  Emergency personnel are going door to door to help with the evacuation.  Nicor gas remains on scene.  They are reporting at least a 5 hour minimum time frame to cap the leak.  The public is asked to call Nicor with any updates.    Two people were taken to Silver Cross Hospital with burn injuries.  Extent of the injuries is unknown at this time.  -end-

3:30 pm:   The Will County Sheriff's Office is advising motorists and residents in and around 143rd Street and Parker Road in Homer Township to avoid the area because of a gas leak.   Nicor Gas is currently at the scene, along with NW Homer Fire District, Homer Emergency Management Agency, and Will County Emergency Management Agency.   The situation is being closely monitored by these agencies.  No evacuations are taking place at this time however residents in the area are being informed by emergency personnel. 

Homer Consolidated School District #33C and Will County School District #92 were immediately notified of the situation and arrangements were made for alternative transportation home for the students safety. 

The following roads are closed at this time:    135th to  Parker ,  143rd to Lemont Rd,  151st to Parker,  and 143rd to Bell Road.

We are asking motorists to please stay clear of these areas until Nicor has safely secured the leak.   -end- 

The Will County Sheriff's Office is announcing the apprehension of murder suspect, Tariq J. Pinnick, age 20, of Lockport.  On November 30, 2016 Will County Crimestoppers received a tip with information of Pinnick's possible whereabouts.  Sheriff's detectives contacted the United States Marshalls and Georgia's Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office where they began looking for Pinnick.  On December 8th, Pinnick was picked up at a residence in Norcross, GA and was taken into custody. 

Pinnick remains in custody in Georgia on unrelated felony obstructing justice charges.  Upon completion of his court proceedings he will be extradited back to Will County to stand trial for First Degree murder.

On January 13, 2016 Will County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Barry Avenue in Lockport Township where they found Dylan Somma, age 22, with a single gunshot wound to his chest and unresponsive.  He was transported to Silver Cross Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.  Sheriff's detectives believe that Pinnick shot Somma during an altercation over the purchase of drugs.  A warrant was issued for Pinnick on January 14th.

Will County Crimestoppers will be issuing the $5,000 reward money to the person who provided the tip leading to the arrest of Tariq Pinnick.   -end-