WCSO Press Releases

   It has come to the attention of the Will County Sheriff's Office that specific news agencies and their social media chatter has once again been mishandling and circulating wrong information.  Because of the tragic nature of this case and the emotional outpouring surrounding it, the Sheriff's Office feels it is important to keep the public abreast of the facts.

The Semaj Crosby case remains an open and active investigation.  The case is still considered a 'suspicious death' investigation.  Several news agencies and reporters have recently FOIA'd (Freedom of Information Act) information/reports surrounding this case.  The Sheriff's Office has responded to those requests and most of the information has been denied.  As part of the denial letter the Sheriff's Office refers to Illinois State Statutes to explain to the requester our reasons for denial.  A particular section of that denial letter refers to "IL State Statute Exemption 7(1)(d)(vii) Obstruction of Ongoing Criminal Investigation".

To clarify, the Sheriff's Office has not 'upgraded' the Crosby investigation.  Sheriff's detectives from our Criminal Investigation Division continue their tireless work on this case.  Because of the nature of this case, it is and always has been, considered a criminal case...opposed to a civil case.  No one is in custody.  No one has been ruled a suspect, nor has any person been ruled out at a suspect.

Other misleading statements is the information that has been provided to some news agencies/reporters, through FOIA requests, regarding the amount of visits that were made to the Crosby house within the past year.  News reports and social media sites, with the actual address activity information that was provided to them, have reported that the Sheriff's Office, or "officers" made 59 visits to that residence.  This simply is not true.  

To clarify, the Will County Probation Office made 40 visits to the home.  The Sheriff's Office and the Probation Office are two separate agencies. When a Probation officer visits a residence, for whatever reason, they are required to call the Sheriff's 911 dispatch center.  Sheriff's deputies do not respond to these visits unless requested to do so from Probation personnel.  The Sheriff's Office did however make 14 visits to the residence.  Five reports were deemed necessary and written by deputies, one of which was the day Semaj went missing.  Nine other visits to the home did not warrant a written report, such as the two times (in one day) deputies delivered Easter baskets to the home.

To update:  The Sheriff's Office continues to work diligently on this case.  The FBI, the Will County State's Attorney's Office, and the Will County Coroner continue to work with the Sheriff's Office in order to do a complete and thorough investigation.   At this time, all family members have retained an attorney.  This past week detectives have conducted numerous interviews.  Additionally, last week, the Sheriff's Office placed a request to expedite any lab results.  Yesterday, the Sheriff's Office did receive a portion of the lab tests in this case.  Nothing regarding these results will be provided to news agencies, nor the public, as this is a critical part of the investigation.  The final lab results are not expected, at a minimum, for 3 to 4 weeks.

Finally, please be patient and allow law enforcement to do their jobs.  We are asking news agencies, reporters, and the public to be aware that rumors, distorted facts, and incorrect information, can have a negative effect on an investigation.  All pertinent information surrounding this tragic death will be released from the Sheriff's Office.  That information can be found at www.willcosheriff.org  (click Press Releases) or you can visit us on Facebook or Twitter.    -end-  

Will County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched Saturday, April 29th, at 2:38pm, to the BP Gas Station located at 29849 SE Frontage Road, Wilmington Township, for a report that they had been robbed.  Upon arriving, deputies spoke with a 22 year old male employee who stated that three male black subjects pulled up to the entrance of the store and exited a newer model Nissan or Kia SUV.  The men entered the store, with one of them staying just inside the front door.  

Once inside, all three subjects pulled out black handguns and yelled to the employee not to move and to "Give me all your money".  One of the subjects then went behind the counter and pointed a gun at the employee's head.  The employee was told not to move while the other subject jumped over the counter and began removing currency from the cash register.  The employee was then instructed to retrieve a key for the safe and after doing so he was told to sit on the ground.  After the subjects removed currency and  checks they took the employees cell phone, stole some Dutch Masters cigars, and instructed the employee to remain on the floor for a few minutes.

The employee was shaken up but not injured and refused medical attention.  The offenders were all described as being about 180 to 220lbs. and between 6'0" and 6'4" in height. Two were wearing black sweatshirts and one was wearing a red sweatshirt with a green bandana over his face.  

While still on the scene deputies advised other law enforcement agencies of the details they had collected. Dwight Police advised that they had an armed robbery in their jurisdiction around 1:41pm.  It had also occurred at a gas station.  The description of the offenders matched in both robberies.  

Anyone with information on this robbery, or if you believe you can identify any of the suspects or the vehicle, please call the Will County Sheriff's Office at 815-727-8575.

(Four photos attached)

-end-

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The Will County Sheriff's Office has been advised of numerous rumors surrounding the death of Semaj Crosby since she was located.  In order to dispel some of the inaccurate information that has been reported, the Sheriff's Office would like to share and clarify some facts.

Sheriff's detectives did in fact locate Semaj Crosby lying underneath the couch, located in the living room of the residence.  No damage to the couch to indicate that the body was placed in or through the couch was discovered. 

As reported yesterday, the Will County Coroner has determined the cause of death to be pending.  In other words, the Coroner is awaiting the lab testing and toxicology reports to be completed before a final determination can be reached.  The Sheriff's Office was advised from the Will County Coroner that there were no visible signs of blunt force trauma or physical injury to the body of Semaj Crosby to indicate the exact cause of death.

At this time, this case is considered a suspicious death investigation.  Today, Sheriff's detectives are continuing their investigation and are interviewing cooperating witnesses and some family members.  No one is in custody.  No one individual has been targeted as a suspect, however, no one individual has been ruled out as a suspect.  Every angle of this tragic incident is being actively examined.

The Sheriff's Office is asking news agencies, as well as the public, and those on social media sites, to please be patient as this investigation moves forward.  Any facts in this case deemed important for public knowledge will be released when appropriate.  -end-

The Will County Sheriff's Office has been contacted by Will County Coroner, Patrick J. O'Neil, who advised that upon the conclusion of the autopsy of Semaj Crosby, it has been determined to be 'pending further studies'.  Sheriff's detectives are continuing their investigation into Semaj's death and until toxicology and further determination from the Coroner's Office is complete and until the investigation is complete, this case remains open.  

This morning, the Sheriff's Office contacted the Will County Land Use Department to conduct a status check of the residence at 309 Louis Road, Joliet Township.  Upon the conclusion of their examination they have deemed the house uninhabitable and have red-tagged it.

 The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the FBI, the Will Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, surrounding area Fire Department personnel, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, who all responded and aided in the search for Semaj.  The resources provided were invaluable.

This has been a very emotional situation for family members and friends, as well as for all first responders.  The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the many volunteers and the entire community who have been deeply concerned about the safety of Semaj.  The outreach, support, and prayers were extraordinary.  

Any further information on this case will be released when appropriate.  -end-

As of 8:50 am, Sheriff's deputies remain in the area of Luana and Richards Street, Joliet Township, in the search for one and a half year old, Semaj ML Crosby, who was reported missing yesterday at 6:30pm by family members.  She was in the care and last seen by her mother in the front yard of her residence.  She was last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt with a cat face on the front.  She had dark blue jeans on and was barefoot.  Semaj had multiple pony tails in her hair with white beads.  

Last night, after an initial search of the residence an exterior search began.  With assistance from bloodhounds and over 80 emergency personnel from the Sheriff's Office and Will County Emergency Management, a grid search was conducted of the Preston Heights neighborhood.  A door to door search was also conducted.   A Cook County helicopter service provided an air search using infrared/heat capabilities.  All search met with negative results.  

As of this morning, a second team of bloodhounds has been called to the scene from Cook County.  Will County Emergency Management, Forest Preserve officers, and Sheriff's deputies remain in search of Semaj.  East Joliet Fire Department is coordinating with outside agencies for the water resource searches and for the use of drones to assist with grid searches.   Presently, a pond in the Sugar Creek Subdivision is being searched.  

Residents are being asked to stay away from this area while emergency responders continue their search.  Unless you live in the area, please avoid this area.   Residents are also being asked to search their own properties.

At this time, the Will County Sheriff's Office considers this to be a missing child case.   The family of Semaj Crosby is fully cooperating with Sheriff's detectives.   -end-

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The Will County Sheriff's Office will once again participate in this year's DEA National Drug Take-Back Day.  The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and participating law enforcement agencies across the country are coordinating the event.  The date has been set for this Saturday, April 29th, from 10am to 2pm.

The Sheriff's Office will be collecting prescription medications in the parking lot of the Will County Courthouse, located at 14 West Jefferson Street in downtown Joliet.  Most local municipal police departments are also participating.  For a complete list please visit: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.

The National Drug Take-Back Initiative began in 2010.  Since that time Americans have turned in over 6 million pounds of prescription drugs.  This event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription medications.  It gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  The service is free and anonymous.  No needles of any kind will be accepted.   -end-