7 Charges, JPD Vest Ripped By This Repeat Criminal: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A 41-year-old homeless man from Beecher was taken to the Will County Jail over the weekend after officers say Patrick Conroyd put up a struggle and ripped the vest of a Joliet police officer trying to arrest him over the weekend.

As a result of Saturday's incident, Conroyd was arrested on two counts of identity theft, unlawful possession of another’s credit card, unlawful possession of lost or mislaid credit or debit card, resisting a peace officer, criminal damage to government supported property and a Will County arrest warrant.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, Joliet police have been dealing with Conroyd since late October.

According to English' press release:

• On October 24, at 12:40 p.m., officers responded to Speedway gas station at 1621 West Jefferson Street because someone was using a stolen credit card.
• Officers learned that earlier in the week, a male customer had misplaced his wallet inside of the Speedway. This victim learned his debit card had been used twice at the Speedway in the early morning hours of October 23.
• Through video surveillance, Joliet police identified a suspect using the victim’s debit card. While officers were on scene, the suspect was outside the building.
• During questioning, the suspect ran away, and officers could not capture him that day.
• "Upon further investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Conroyd and secured an arrest warrant," English noted.
• Then on Saturday, at 3:51 p.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of Oneida Street for a suspicious male looking into vehicles.
• Officers caught up to the male, Conroyd, at the Walgreens at 1163 West Jefferson Street. When Conroyd tried to push past an officer and enter the Walgreens, the officer attempted to place Conroyd into custody, however Conroyd repeatedly pulling his arms away.
• During the struggle, Conroyd ripped the officer’s vest carrier. More officers arrived and Conroyd was placed into custody without further incident.

It was determined Conroyd also had an active Will County arrest warrant for missing court on a previous charge of burglary.