WCSO Press Releases

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley are announcing the conviction of Jesus Larosa of Chicago for the murder of 85-year-old Alfred Hilton.  In May of 2014, after missing a church event, Hilton was found severely beaten and strangled to death with a telephone cord at his residence on Bemes Road in Crete Township.  The home had been ransacked and two televisions and a BB gun had been stolen.

 Will County Sheriff’s detectives worked diligently on the case for fifteen months, following hundreds of tips and leads.  In March 2016, a tip came in which enabled Sheriff’s detectives to identify Larosa as a new suspect.  After the warrant was issued for his arrest, Larosa fled to Alabama.  Spearheaded by Sheriff’s detectives, a multi-state manhunt ensued.  In April 2016, Larosa was apprehended by U.S. Marshalls in Dallas, TX and was brought back to Will County for prosecution.

 Yesterday, the jury deliberated for approximately four and a half hours before finding Larosa guilty on three counts of first-degree murder.  Sentencing is scheduled for May 17^th.  Larosa served 20 years for a prior murder conviction and was out on parole when Hilton was murdered.  Larosa faces a mandatory life sentence.

 Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow credited the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division for their dedication and diligent work on this case that enabled prosecutors to obtain a guilty verdict.  He also praised his Assistant State’s Attorneys for their fine work.

Will County Sheriff’s Detectives would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Hilton family who, although faced with the senseless murder of their father, consistently extended their support and patience during the entire investigation.  It is hoped that the conviction of this individual can bring some solace and a new sense of peace from this tragic incident.

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   The Will County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the arrest of fugitive Jeremy E Johnsen, age 36, of 24032 S. Loomis in Crete.  Johnsen was wanted by Will County Sheriff’s Police in reference to Violation of an Order of Protection in Will County, and Stalking charges issued in Lake County, Indiana.  Additional felony charges in Will County are pending.

   Charges allege that Johnsen, having been served an Order of Protection, maintained a course of conduct of harassment, stalking, and threatening his ex-wife and her family members.  Johnsen made threats to harm police and himself, including violence with firearms and explosives.

   Working in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, investigators in Will County and Indiana conducted dozens of hours of surveillance, interviews, and investigative work to develop a location for Johnsen.  A search warrant was obtained for Johnsen, who was located inside a relative’s home despite that family knowing about the warrants.  Johnsen was taken into custody without incident, and will face charges in Will County before going to face charges in Lake County, Indiana.  -end-

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is announcing that yesterday, February 13^th, the Grand Jury issued additional charges for the death of Danica Ford.  Deiontae S. McMillian, age 24, of Fayetteville, North Carolina was indicted on three counts of first-degree murder.  McMillian was charged in November of 2018 with Concealment of a Homicidal Death in connection with the strangulation of Danica Ford, age 22, of Concord, North Carolina. 

 On November 12, 2018, Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene near Woodlawn Cemetery in Joliet regarding a deceased person.  A memorial tattoo observed on Ford’s leg assisted detectives in positively identifying Ford and aided them in their initial investigation.  Detectives spent hundreds of hours tracking McMillian from the Joliet area, into Cook County and back to North Carolina.  He was extradited and booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on December 6, 2018.  He is currently being held on a $2M bond.  –end-

On Monday afternoon, 2/11/2019, Will County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a home on the 13000 block of Danbury Drive in Plainfield Township regarding a motor vehicle theft that had just occurred.  The owner of a 2008 Dodge Ram stated that around 1pm she went out to start her vehicle to warm it up.  Ten minutes later she observed two male teens, one Hispanic and one black, enter her vehicle and drive off.  

While deputies were traveling to the residence, they were advised that the vehicle had been seen in the area of Airport Road/Frontage Road in Romeoville.  During a search of the vehicle, a deputy then observed the vehicle on Old Renwick Road and Trading Post Lane and attempted to make a traffic stop.  The vehicle did not stop for deputies but spun out and came to rest in a ditch.

A single occupant, the Hispanic male driver, then took off on foot.  Sheriff's deputies, along with a K9, and Joliet Police officers,  began a search of a nearby field and wooded area.  The 16 year-old male subject (Romeoville resident) was located and was found with a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun on his person.  The subject also was found with a Buick car key and a Jeep car key.  He was taken into custody and invoked his rights to an attorney.  He was transported to River Valley Juvenile Justice Center and was charged with motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, unlawful use of a weapon, and no valid FOID card.  He was also being held on two outstanding warrants.  The Dodge Ram was eventually returned to its owner. 

On 1/22/2019, a 2004 Buick Park Avenue was stolen from W. Bloomfield Drive in Plainfield after the owner was warming up his vehicle and left it unattended at 8am.  Joliet Police recovered that vehicle on January 28th.  On 2/6/2019, a 2013 Jeep Patriot was stolen from Ardmore Circle in Plainfield after the owner started it around 7am and left it unattended for a few minutes.  The vehicle was recovered the next day on W. Duncan Court in Plainfield. 

Additional charges may be filed against the 16 year old, pending further investigation.   

At this time deputies have not located a second person who may have been involved in the theft.                        Anyone with information can call 815-727-8575.  

The Sheriff's Office is reminding residents not to start your vehicle and leave it unattended!   -end-

Update as of 3pm:

The Kankakee River has continued to receed throughout the day.  Emergency personnel remain in staging areas in case of unpredictable changes in the water.

PHELAN ACRES RESIDENTS are being advised to stay away from the area until tomorrow morning.   Although water levels have dropped considerably it remains dangerous for people to be in the area.   If conditions remain to improve throughout the evening, residents may return to their homes at daylight.    Sheriff's deputies will not be allowing residents into the area until then.

If residents have any questions  they may call the EMA hotline at:  815-724-1617.  -end- 

Update as of 1:30pm:

Emergency personnel remain in the area and continue monitoring conditions along the Kankakee River.  They are now in a maintenance phase.  The Kankakee River remains highly unpredictable.  No new areas along the river have been identified as being on hightened alert at this time. 

The Phelan Acres neighborhood has been evacuated. 

Blodgett Road and I55 to Will Road has now been closed due to water on Blodgett making it impassable. 

Harold Damron, Director of Will County Emergency Management, will have an update at 3pm at the City of Wilmington, Village Hall, 1165 S. Water Street in Wilmington. 

EMA hotline has been set up for residents.   815-724-1617   There is no voice mail available so please call back if no one answers.   

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