The Will County Sheriff's Office is joining the IL Department of Transportation (IDOT), the IL State Police (ISP) and over 500 local law enforcement agencies across the state to save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws.   "As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it's important for everyone to buckle up every trip, every time, day or night...no excuses," said Sgt. Steve Byland.  "Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing a seat belt."

   Provisional numbers show that during the 2012 Memorial Day weekend there were six families and almost 600 injuries on Illinois roadways.  Three of those fatalities were alcohol related.  Remember, wearing your seat belt is your best defense against an impaired driver.

According to the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 52% of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.  As noted, deaths involving seat belt non-users are more prevalent at night.  According to NHTSA, 62% of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6pm to 6am were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

While this year's Click It or Ticket campaign runs from May 10th through May 27th, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year round.  Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same.  You will save the cost of a ticket and may save a life.

For more information about the campaign, please visit www.buckleupillinois.org

For Immediate Release

March 16, 2013

Home Invasion Suspects Arrested

March 16, 2013 – Today at approximately 3:30 a.m., Will County Sheriff’s Police were called to a residence in the 100 block of South Park Road, Joliet Township, Illinois regarding an armed robbery.  Initial reports indicate that a small party was underway when four unknown African-American men entered the residence.  All four were described as wearing dark clothing.  Shortly thereafter, all four of the men covered their faces with either scarves or mask and two of the four produced guns and began to rob the party goers of their valuables, including wallets, cell phones and money.  All four men fled from the residence on foot.  None of the victims were hurt.

Sheriff’s Deputies developed information about a vehicle in the area that was subsequently stopped by the police.  The vehicle was driven by Darius Strong, a subject on parole, and not the registered owner of the vehicle.  Subsequently the registered owner was located and related that Strong did not have permission to use the vehicle.  Sheriff’s Police also learned that two or three unknown male African-American subjects had just returned to the vehicle owner’s residence and that they were not known to the vehicle owner. 

At this time Sheriff’s Police along with Joliet Police Officers went to a residence in the 100 block of South East Circle Drive, Joliet Township.  As officers approached the residence the front door opened and a subjected yelled out a warning to other occupants of the residence that the police were there.  This subject tried to force the door closed but officers prevented him from doing so.  Three subjects attempted to flee the residence but all were apprehended by Sheriff’s Police and Joliet Police officers.  A search of the residence located what investigators believe to be the two weapons used during the earlier robbery on South Park Road.  Other items recovered appear to match items taken from the victims.

The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating whether the subjects arrested today may be responsible for an armed robbery on March 12, 2013 at Mac’s Tap, located at 607 Algonquin, Joliet Township, where four male African-American subjects entered the tavern with masked faces and weapons.  The offenders made off with proceeds from the tavern and its’ patrons.  Joliet Police Department officials are also looking in to today’s arrest to see if this group may be responsible for any open armed robbery investigations in their jurisdiction. 

The following subjects have all been charged with Home Invasion and Armed Robbery in connection with this incident.  All five were taken into custody and are currently at the Will County Adult Detention Facility awaiting their first court appearances scheduled for Monday, March 18^th. 

Suspect Identifiers: (Photos Attached)

Photo#1:  Rodney G. Parks:  M/B, DOB:  05/21/90  LKA:  1500 block of Fairmount Av, Joliet, Illinois Positive Criminal History, Currenty on Parole - 03/04/13 for Aggravated Discharge of Firearm

Photo#2:  Darius Strong: M/B, DOB:  04/26/87    LKA:  7100 block of So. Yates, Chicago, Illinois   Positive Criminal History, Currently on Parole – 07/03/12 for Voluntary Manslaughter/Negl-Acc Death of Another

Photo#3:  Deathray Anderson:M/B, DOB:12/21/90LKA:100 block of Richardson, Joliet, IllinoisPositive Criminal History, Currently on Parole – 12/19/12 for Poss of a Stolen Firearm

Photo#4:  Elijah Watson:M/B, DOB:06/21/95LKA 100 block of Wallace, Joliet, IllinoisPositive Criminal History,

Photo#5:  Mithchell M. Thompson:  M/B, DOB:  04/14/94  LKA: 1600 block of 5^th Ave, Joliet, Illinois   Positive Criminal History (Juvenile)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOUR LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES OPERATE??
COME JOIN US TO FIND OUT WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES OF POLICE CALLS AND TRAFFIC STOPS!!

12 CONSECUTIVE THURSDAY EVENINGS
( MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE ).

• WHERE: Lincoln-Way Central High School, Route. 30 & Schoolhouse Rd, New Lenox.
• WHEN: March 7, 2013 through May 23, 2013
• FROM: 7:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
• COST: Free to the public
  

Citizen Police Academy Application (  )

You may email the completed form to:

Officer Aurena Davis (adavis@newlenox.net) or Sgt. Mike Mackay (mmackay@willcosheriff.org)

The Citizens Police Academy is an informational program open to the general public. This program was designed to inform citizens of the community how the police and criminal justice system work and will be presented in a manner that is enjoyable for everyone who attends.

Some highlights of our program:

• Traffic Stops
• K-9 Demonstration
• Criminal Justice System
• Coroner's Office Tour
• Crime Scene Processing
• Tour of the Adult Detention Facility
• AND MUCH MORE!!!

For additional information, please contact:

• Sergeant Mike Mackay
  • 815.727.5296
  • www.willcosheriff.org
• Officer Aurena Davis
  • 815.462.6100
  • www.newlenox.net 
• Officer Leanne Bender
  • 815.469.9435
  • www.frankfortpolice.net 

Citizen Police Academy Application (  )

You may email the completed form to:

Officer Aurena Davis (adavis@newlenox.net) or Sgt. Mike Mackay (mmackay@willcosheriff.org)