WCSO Press Releases

Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce that the suspect in the homicide that occurred on 07/12/2020 in Unincorporated Lockport Township will not be charged with a crime, at this time. 

On 07/12/2020, at 9:36 A.M., Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 100 block of Pendleton Street in Unincorporated Lockport Township in reference to a medical emergency involving a gunshot victim.  Laraway Communications Center (LCC) advised responding deputies, that the person that dialed 911 was the person that shot the victim.  LCC further advised that the suspect was currently performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the victim.

Upon deputies arriving on scene, the suspect (age 76) was taken into custody, and the Lockport Township Fire Department transported the victim to a local area hospital.  The victim, Patrick Bernotas (age 36), was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators arrived on scene and began to conduct the investigation.  The residence where the incident occurred is in deplorable conditions.  It is of the opinion of the Will County Sheriff’s Office that it is unfit for occupancy. 

Numerous interviews were conducted on various individuals, the neighborhood was canvassed for potential witnesses, search warrants were executed, and evidence was collected on scene. 

Upon detectives interviewing the suspect, it was learned that Bernotas and the suspect got into a verbal argument over money owed for back rent, in the amount of $20,000.  The suspect wrote up a five-day notice of eviction and gave the document to Bernotas.  The suspect stated that this enraged Bernotas, and he threatened to harm 76-year-old suspect.

The suspect went into his bedroom, which is located on the lower level of the residence, as to avoid further conflict.  The suspect stated that he closed his bedroom door, and the argument continued through the partially closed door. 

The 76-year-old suspect was fearful that a physical altercation would occur, so he took out his loaded handgun which he stores in-between the cushion and an armrest of a chair.  The suspect placed the revolver on top of the chair.  The suspect stated that he heard Bernotas coming towards his room, so he picked up the revolver.  The suspect stated that Bernotas swung open the door in an aggressive manner.  The suspect, fearing that he was about to be battered, fired one round striking Bernotas in the chest.  The suspect stated that he was aiming for Bernotas' shoulder.    

The suspect stated that Bernotas retreated up the five stairs that lead to his bedroom, and Bernotas collapsed on a couch in the living room.  The suspect stated that he then dialed 911 to report the incident, and began performing CPR on Bernotas shortly thereafter.       

An autopsy was conducted on Patrick Bernotas on 07/13/2020 at the Will County Coroner’s Office.  The victim died, as a result of a close contact gunshot wound to the chest.  The suspect shot the victim with a Taurus Judge revolver, loaded with .410 shotgun shells and .45 Colt ammunition.  The suspect fired one round of .410 birdshot at close range, striking Bernotas in the chest on his left side. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted detectives in securing search warrants for the residence, as well as conducting a case review of the thorough investigation.  After reviewing the case, the State’s Attorney’s Office elected not to charge the suspect with a crime at this time.

Items of evidentiary value will be sent to the crime lab for analysis, and the case will remain open until the results of those tests and the results of the autopsy are available and Will County Coroner’s reports are complete.   

End.

On 07/12/2020, Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 100 block of Pendleton Street in Unincorporated Lockport Township in reference in reference to a medical emergency involving a gunshot victim.  Laraway Communications Center (LCC) advised responding deputies, that the person that dialed 911 was the person that shot the victim.  LCC further advised that the suspect was currently performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the victim.

Upon deputies arriving on scene, the suspect was taken into custody, and the Lockport Township Fire Department transported the victim to a local area hospital.  The victim (age 36), was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.  The victim’s identity is being withheld at this time, pending proper notification to the family.

The suspect is currently in custody with the Will County Sheriff’s Office, and is cooperating with the investigation.  Further information will be provided when appropriate.     

July 7, 2020 – Around 8:20am, Sheriff’s deputies were patrolling I-80 eastbound when they observed a vehicle impeding the flow of traffic.  Deputies then observed the vehicle speed up and abruptly begin switching lanes in and out of traffic without signaling.  Deputies followed the vehicle as it exited onto I-55 and conducted a traffic stop.

 Deputies spoke with the male driver who provided a driver’s license.  Deputies advised the driver of his traffic infractions and stated that they would be issuing him a warning.  While deputies began checking the status of the driver’s license it was revealed that the name on the license was an alias for Kenneth Vrail George, age 38, of Los Angeles, California.  It was then discovered that George had an active fugitive warrant, dated 4/24/20, out of  Maricopa County, Arizona for drug charges and felony sex trafficking.

 Deputies informed George that the photo, nor the identifiers, matched his face on the driver’s license that he provided.  They also advised George that they were aware of his active warrant.  Upon receiving this news, George began saying that he was not feeling well, laid on the ground, and would no longer answer any questions.  George was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was examined and cleared by medical personnel.    

 George refused to state his true identity, however, photos of George were provided to deputies from Maricopa County, which matched Kenneth George.  He was charged with obstructing identification and obstructing justice. 

Maricopa County verified that George would be extradited on the sex trafficking charges.

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Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce the arrest of Devon L. Ward (age 27) for the offense of Aggravated Battery in connection with the recent death of Wayne C. Deutsch.

On June 12, 2020 at 5:30pm, Will County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a battery complaint at Shades of Darkness Window Tinting, located at 13957 W. Illinois Highway in New Lenox Township.  Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the owner, Wayne Deutsch of Orland Park. 

Deutsch stated that an unknown male black subject, wearing a “doo-rag” with a beard had beat him with a long metal cylindrical object.  Deutsch stated that he had previously done work on the subject’s vehicle.  Deutsch stated that the subject came into the store asking for a refund on the window tint that the subject paid for.  Deutsch and the subject had words, and the subject left the store. 

Moments later the male black subject returned and started a physical confrontation with Deutsch, striking him several times in the ribs with a metal object.  The male black subject began beating Deutsch as he fell to the floor.  Deutsch stated that the subject then took approximately $800 in United States Currency from his person.  The subject fled the scene in a dark colored Chrysler 300 with tinted windows.   

Deutsch refused medical treatment on scene, and sheriff’s detectives began an investigation into the incident.  Deutsch was only able to provide detectives with limited information pertaining to the identity of the suspect.  Deutsch was however able to provide detectives with a self-shot video from his cellphone showing the suspect approaching the victim prior to the aggravated battery occuring.  On June 14, detectives learned that Deutsch had been in the hospital, and his injuries consisted of multiple broken ribs. 

On June 17, 2020, Sheriff’s detectives learned that Wayne Deutsch had succumbed to his injuries while convalescing at home.  The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy the following day.  Detectives received verbal confirmation from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, that Deutsch’s death was the result of the injuries that he sustained earlier in the week by the suspect Devon Ward.  Detectives learned that Deutsch’s lungs contained approximately two liters of fluid at the time of his autopsy.  The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that the death of Wayne Deutsch is preliminary classified as a homicide, pending completion of all reports.

On June 30, 2020, a warrant was issued for the offense of Aggravated Battery against Devon L. Ward for $500,000-10% to apply.  Ward’s attorney contacted members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office, and he subsequently turned himself in on today’s date.  He is currently being housed in the Will County Adult Detention Facility (WCADF).   

As of this writing, the Will County Sheriff’s Office has not received any official report from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office pertaining to the manner and cause of death of Wayne Deutsch.  The Will County Sheriff’s Office is confident that charges will be upgraded in the future in regards to this investigation.     

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   As the new Will County Courthouse continues towards completion, the Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with all county agencies and the various construction businesses to assure the safety of the building, its employees, and those who visit.   This week, Sheriff Mike Kelley announced that “Loki” would be added to the Sheriff’s Canine Unit in order to increase the security.

    Loki is a 2-year-old German shepherd and has been extensively trained in detecting explosives.  Lokie and his deputy handler will be on-duty, Monday through Friday, during courthouse hours.  They will not only be assigned to the main building of the courthouse, but they will be checking other associated buildings and the surrounding grounds and parking lot areas.

    Sheriff Mike Kelley stated, “The current Sheriff’s deputy canine handlers and their dogs do an outstanding job out on the streets.   Since bringing back the K-9 Unit in 2015, they have seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal drugs.   With the new courthouse, updated and increased security measures are necessary.   It just makes sense to bring in Loki to help us with identifying any potential danger that may otherwise be missed.  We’re excited to have him join the team.”  

    Sheriff Kelley would like to thank Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow for his generous donation in splitting the cost of Loki.  State’s Attorney Glasgow said, “When the Sheriff requested my assistance in purchasing a canine trained in detecting explosives in order to enhance safety in the new courthouse, I agreed without hesitation. Dogs provide solace and comfort in our personal lives, and high-tech protection to our law enforcement community. Having purchased K9s for seven local municipalities using money forfeited by criminals and at no cost to taxpayers, this was a natural fit. Loki will be a significant and valuable resource in protecting everyone at Will County’s new courthouse. “

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The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance from the public regarding the identification of a suspect involved in an aggravated battery complaint.   On June 12, 2020 at 5:30pm, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a battery complaint at Shades of Darkness Window Tinting, located at 13957 W. Illinois Highway in New Lenox Township.  Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the owner, Wayne Deutsch of Orland Park. 

Deutsch stated that an unknown male black subject with a large beard had beaten him.  Deutsch stated that he had previously done work on the subject’s vehicle.   Deutsch stated that the subject came into the store asking for a refund on the window tint that the subject paid for.  Deutsch and the subject had words, and the subject left the store.  Moments later the male black subject returned and started a physical confrontation with Deutsch.  The male black subject began beating Deutsch as he fell to the floor.  The subject fled the scene in a dark colored Chrysler 300 with tinted windows.   

Deutsch refused medical treatment on scene, and sheriff’s detectives immediately began an investigation into the incident.  Deutsch was unwilling to provide detectives with information pertaining to the identity of the suspect.  Detectives were advised on June 14, that Deutsch had been in the hospital and suffered from multiple broken ribs with fluid in his lungs. 

On June 17, Sheriff’s detectives were advised that Wayne Deutsch had succumbed to his injuries and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office would be performing an autopsy the following day.

As of this writing, the Will County Sheriff’s Office has not received any official information pertaining to the manner and cause of death as it relates to Wayne Deutsch.   

The case remains active and detectives are following all leads.   The Sheriff’s Investigation Unit is asking for help in identifying the suspect in this photo.  If anyone has any information related to this incident, please contact Detective Sean Moran at 815-727-8574 at extension 4914. 

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