WCSO Press Releases

On 01/30/2021, at approximately 3:52 PM, deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of 3^rd Avenue and Anderson Avenue in reference to a shots fired complaint.  Upon deputies arriving to the area, a male subject was located outside laying on the ground with a single gunshot wound to his torso in need of medical attention. 

Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office rendered aid to the 21-year-old male who was transported to a local area hospital.  The victim required surgery and is currently in stable condition.  Witnesses indicated that they heard two shots and observed two black, males flee from the area after the victim was struck by gunfire.  It appears that the victim in this case was specifically targeted by the suspect(s).

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in attempting to identify the offender in this incident.  If anyone has information pertaining to this incident, or was a witness to the shooting they are encouraged to contact the Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 815-727-8574.       

    Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the reopening and return to the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety Complex, 16911 W. Laraway Road in Joliet, and the Adult Detention Facility, 95 S. Chicago Street in Joliet, beginning Monday, January 25, 2021 at 8:00am.   All Covid related precautions will be enforced.  Masks are mandatory in order to enter the building and social distancing is required.

    In order to minimize visitors to the Public Safety Complex, we ask the public to continue some of the procedures that are in place:

 1)       If you are a victim of a minor crime or a victim of identity theft, and are in need of a police report, we encourage you to visit the Sheriff’s website at www.willcosheriff.org.  On the website, you will see a list of Online Forms.  Please fill out and submit the form that pertains to your needs such as, Online Police Report, FOIA request, or Contact the Sheriff’s Office.

2)      If you need to speak to a deputy for a non-emergency situation, please call 815-727-8575.  If necessary, a deputy will be dispatched to your location. 

   Regarding the Video Visitation Building located at 20 S. Chicago Street in Joliet – we will begin taking visitation appointments by phone only on Monday and Tuesday. The Visitation Building will be closed on these days.    Scheduled appointments will begin on Wednesday, January 27^th.   To set up an appointment call 815-774-7950.   Masks are mandatory in order to enter the building and social distancing is required. 

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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.        

~END OF WATCH ~

December 16, 2020

SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR COWORKER AND FRIEND

DEPUTY CORRECTIONAL OFFICER

MICHAEL OLINO

 It is with extreme grief and sadness that we say goodbye to our friend and coworker, Deputy Correctional Officer Mike Olino.  Mike was on duty at the Adult Detention Facility, Wednesday night, December 16^th, when he began having back pains. Those around him noticed his discomfort and offered assistance. As they recognized his symptoms began to worsen, the fire department was requested.  Joliet Fire Department transported Mike to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Joliet.  Deputy Correctional Officer Olino was pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival.  Mike Olino was 47 years old.

Mike began his career at the Will County Adult Detention Facility on December 29, 2003, three years after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps where he received many awards.  

Throughout Mike’s career at the ADF, he became very knowledgeable about the day-to-day operations of the facility.  He was a senior officer on day shift and was always willing to help his co-workers.  He was highly respected and had a gift of making those around him find humor to get through tough days.  He was a proud member of the Emergency Response Team and his commitment to the ADF and his peers was evident to all that knew him.  

Deputy Correctional Officer Mike Olino will be remembered by his co-workers, not only as a great guy and friend, but also as being a true family man.  Not a day would go by without him speaking about his loving wife, his daughter, his son, or his extended family.  He lived his life for them.  

The news of Mike’s sudden death has shaken the entire Will County Sheriff’s Office staff.   Rest in Peace Mike.  You will never be forgotten.  

We extend our deepest sorrow to Mike’s wife, two teenage children, and to his family and friends. 

Funeral arrangements are pending.   

   The Will County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens to be aware of the many scams that have flooded the public over the past few years.  Since January of 2020, the Sheriff’s Office has taken 318 reports from citizens regarding identity theft, 83 reports of credit card fraud, and 55 reports of fraud.  The majority of residents who reported did not fall victim to the scams however, some did and with these high number of reports taken it bears repeating to remind residents to be aware. 

   In October and November alone, the Sheriff’s Office received over 140 complaints from residents regarding the Illinois Department of Employment Services scam.  This scam consists of residents receiving a letter with a pre-paid credit card confirming approval of unemployment benefits.  In these cases, the resident did not apply for unemployment. The thieves have applied for unemployment using your name and personal information. They then have the method of payment switched to direct deposit, which means the money is going straight to the thieves' bank account. However, if there is money on the card and a fraud victim ends up spending that money, IDES says that person would be responsible for repaying that money to the state because they are fraudulent funds.

   IDES asks residents to file a police report and to report the fraudulent card to them online or call their identify theft hotline at 866-999-5630.  It is also advised that residents contact credit bureaus to file a fraud alert and keep a close eye on personal banking accounts.

   Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office continues to get reports from residents regarding fraudulent cell phone calls for Warrants for your arrest and breach of your Social Security number.  We are reminding citizens that the Sheriff’s Office does not call individuals who have a warrant out for their arrest and they do not ask for money to make the warrant disappear.  In one recent complaint, the victim received such a call and lost $9,000 to this scam believing he had a warrant and would be arrested if not paid.  An easy way to check if you have a valid warrant is to visit:    www.willcountywarrants.com

   The Social Security scam is also on the rise with several reports filed.  These thieves use several different phone numbers, may call consistently for days, leave you a message if you do not answer, and state that they are from Social Security and that your SS# has been flagged for fraud. They ask the unknowing victim to confirm their SS number so they can reactivate it and ask for a fee to complete the transaction. Once they receive your social security number, it most likely will be very damaging to your financial accounts and credit. One recent victim lost over $30,000 to this scam.   Visit www.ssa.gov if you are receiving these calls to file a report.  

   The Sheriff’s Office is asking citizens to share this information with friends and loved ones so they do not fall victim.  A general rule is Do Not answer your phone if you do not recognize the number.  If you do answer and realize it is someone from these agencies and you have not called them prior, simply hang up the phone.  Any fraud reports can be made on the Sheriff’s website:  www.willcosheriff.org – click on ‘online reporting’. 

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Full story »

Last week, the Will County Adult Detention Facility became aware that an inmate who had been in custody since February might have spread Covid to other inmates within the facility.  The male inmate had recently been sentenced and had been housed for five days within a housing unit before being transported to the Illinois Department of Corrections.  Upon his intake at IDOC, he was given a rapid Covid test and tested positive.  The inmate displayed no symptoms while at the ADF. 

   On the same day, all inmates within the housing unit were tested for Covid.  Thirty-eight inmates tested positive and thirteen tested negative.  All inmates who were exposed to the virus are being isolated within the ADF and will remain on quarantine at least for the CDC’s recommended fourteen days.  All positive cases are being treated and closely monitored by the facility medical doctor.   Currently, all positive cases are mild with no serious underlying conditions. 

   The Will County Sheriff’s Office and the Adult Detention Facility remain steadfast following the state guidelines and are working closely with the Will County Health Department.