WCSO Press Releases

On 01/04/2021 at approximately 4:35 PM, Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7700 block of Harbor Court in Unincorporated Frankfort Township in reference to an armed robbery complaint. 

Upon deputies’ arrival, the victim informed deputies that a black Kia Soul four-door vehicle drove up to the victim’s residence, occupied by four male/black subjects.  Suspect number one exited the vehicle and approached the victim, brandishing a black handgun and demanded money.  The victim dropped her purse, and the offender took approximately $30.00 in United States Currency and fled the scene in the vehicle. 

Suspect number one, was described as a male/black subject in his twenties with exposed facial hair, wearing a mask.  It was learned by deputies on scene, that a similar vehicle was reported as being involved in a criminal trespass to a vehicle complaint in the Village of Mokena, just prior to this incident.  That vehicle was identified as a stolen vehicle out of the City of Chicago.  Deputies broadcast an Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN) message, attempting to locate the vehicle that had committed the armed robbery.

Members of the Tinley Park Police Department located the vehicle traveling northbound on Harlem Avenue and followed the vehicle, providing updates to the vehicle’s location to area departments.  Illinois State Police later attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, near I-57 and I-94.  The suspect vehicle crashed in the area of I-94 and 83^rd Avenue.  Three of the four suspects were taken into custody on scene, and a total of three firearms were recovered when the suspects were taken into custody.  The fourth suspect is currently at large, and is to be considered armed and dangerous. 

Members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division are in the process of conducting interviews with the suspects, and gathering additional evidence.  Criminal charges are pending at this time, and additional information will be forthcoming in this active investigation.  Sheriff Mike Kelley and the rest of the Will County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the various police agencies involved in this coordinated effort to bring these perpetrators to justice.        

     Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing changes to the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety Building, 16911 W. Laraway Road in Joliet and to the Adult Detention Facility, 95 S. Chicago Street, and Video Visitation Building, 20 S. Chicago Street in Joliet.  These changes are due to the current precautions the nation is taking with the Covid-19 virus.  Please be advised.

     For the safety and well-being of our deputies and the public, all scheduled evictions will stop for 30 days.

     Beginning immediately, thru March 31^st, public access to the Public Safety Complex will temporarily be stopped.  The front lobby doors will be locked.  Please follow the following guidelines in order to take care of necessary business you need from the Sheriff’s Office:

1)      If you are a victim of a minor crime, you are in need of a police report, or you have a general question we encourage you to visit the Sheriff’s website at www.willcosheriff.org.  On the website, you will see a list of Online Forms.  You will find forms such as ‘Online Police Report’, ‘FOIA a Police Report’, and ‘Contact the Sheriff’s Office’.   Click on the link that pertains to your situation, fill it out and submit it.    

2)      If you are in need of speaking to a deputy call 911 or the non-emergency number at 815-727-8575 and a deputy will be dispatched to your location.

3)      If you are a registered sex offender and need to register or update your information you may come to the Public Safety Building and push the call button that is located between the two entrance doors.  Someone will assist you.

4)      If you need to pick-up evidence in your reported case, please call the Evidence Division at 815-727-4736 to schedule a pick-up time. 

     Regarding the Will County Sheriff’s Adult Detention Facility – The Adult Detention Facility as well as the Video Visitation Building is temporarily closed to all visitors/public.  Professional visitors such as attorneys, therapists, etc. are being required to schedule an appointment by calling 815-774-7950.  Your visitation request will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 

    Family/friends of current inmates can deposit funds into inmate commissary accounts at www.jailatm.com.

      Sheriff Kelley is staying apprised of the most current updates from the CDC, as well as from Will County officials.  He has met with several professionals throughout the day and is taking this outbreak seriously.  Staff members of the Sheriff’s Office and Adult Detention Facility are being advised as best practices are being put into place in order to keep everyone healthy. 

 We are asking the public for their understanding and patience as we all do our part to get through this as safely as possible.   If any further changes are necessary, the public will be advised. 

The Will County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding an individual who was uploading and sharing child pornography.   Sheriff’s detectives investigated the individual and collected evidence, which led them to obtaining and executing a search warrant at Steven Cardenas' home in Frankfort on the morning of Friday, Feb 7^th.  Detectives took possession of electronic devices and brought Cardenas, age 30, in for questioning.  Cardenas made incriminating statements during the interview.  He was arrested for possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.   He appeared in bond court on February 8^th where he received a $50,000 bond (10% to apply).   Cardenas posted bond on the evening of February 8^th and was released.    -end- 

The Illinois Sheriff's Association will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley will be awarding one scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Students must be enrolled full time at a certified institution within Illinois and be a permanent resident.
Applications are now available at the Sheriff's Office, on the Sheriff's website: www.willcosheriff.org or on the ISA website: www.ilsheriff.org Students must complete the application and return all documentation to the Sheriff's Office in their county of residence by March 15, 2020.  For a directory of Sheriff's Offices throughout the state, visit the ISA website. 
Will County resident applicants should drop off or mail to:
Will County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Carol Stein
16911 W. Laraway Road, Suite 101
Joliet, IL 60433

-end-

Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce the recent arrest of Jennifer C. Ramos, for various felony counts of theft and forgery. 

On 02/25/2019, detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office met with Senior Executives with Bunge North America Loders-Croklaan.  The purpose of the meeting was in reference to a complaint of employee theft that occurred at the businesses manufacturing facility located in unincorporated Channahon Township. 

Upon conducting an audit, several anomalies were discovered on various expense reports associated with a former employee Jennifer C. Ramos, who was employed as an executive assistant.  Ramos began employment with the company on 02/16/2015 and her employment ended on 12/31/2018 due to a reduction of employees.    

An internal investigation was conducted and revealed that Ramos had engaged in an ongoing pattern of asset misappropriation through the use of the company’s expense reporting system.  Ramos frequently purchased airline tickets and hotel rooms online for other employees.  Ramos printed the online invoice purchase confirmations, and would later cancel the reservations.  Ramos created and filed expense reports using the invoices or purchase confirmation emails and reimbursement checks were subsequently issued to her for the expense.  It is alleged that Ramos received in excess of $597,000.00 during her employment from March 2015-January 2019. 

Ramos purchased at least thirty trips between March 1, 2018 and December 27, 2018.  These trips were cancelled the same day and often within several minutes of Ramos booking the trip.  A large group of these purchases were made on 12/27/2018, just four days prior to Ramos’ last scheduled day of employment.

Detectives obtained numerous subpoenas to further the investigation, and were able to recover communications, e-mails, and additional supporting documentation that were able to corroborate these allegations.

A thirteen count felony complaint arrest warrant was obtained on 12/24/2019 by Will County Detectives in the amount of $250,000-10% to apply, and she was taken into custody by members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Warrant’s Division on 12/30/2019. 

Will County Sheriff’s detectives, along with Frankfort Police detectives, are continuing their investigation into the two aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery incidents that occurred on November 16^th in Frankfort and November 29^th in unincorporated New Lenox.   We are currently working with multiple agencies in order to identify and apprehend those involved in these crimes. 

Attached are two photos of suspects who we believe were involved in the New Lenox incident. We know that the suspects entered the stores, on a 50-degree day, with full ski masks, layers of winter clothing and coats with hoods up and winter hats on; one suspect was wearing a winter glove.   The suspects also had bright yellow/orange construction-type vests on.  The suspects entered the stores and while at the self-checkout line, made multiple small purchases such as a candy bar, then would get cash back in $100 or $50 increments with each purchase using the victims’ bankcards.   This occurred in at least three stores.  Additional video surveillance footage is being sought.  

We are asking the public for any information in assisting us to identify the subjects.  In one of the photos, the suspect is wearing a black and white plaid winter hat with earflaps.  Detectives are hoping this will assist the public in identifying the suspect.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Will County Sheriff’s Investigations Division at 815-727-8574.   –end-

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