Tony's Fresh Market Incident Leaves Employees Overcome With Fear, Joliet Police Arrest Man With Weapon: Cops

JOLIET, IL — It rarely ever happens, but the Joliet Police Department made an arrest last weekend at the Tony's Fresh Market grocery store at the corner of Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 9:47 p.m. on Friday, the officers responded to the Tony’s Fresh Market at 1801 West Jefferson Street, after receiving reports of a retail theft involving a suspect armed with a knife.

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Officers were advised that the man had left the store with
merchandise without paying after allegedly displaying a green folding knife at employees.

In time, Joliet police spotted their prime suspect nearby and identified him as Lester Gaines, 56, homeless.

"During the investigation, officers recovered the knife believed to have been used during the incident," English announced.

Gaines allegedly attempted to leave the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise without paying. When confronted by an employee, Gaines allegedly displayed the knife in a threatening manner before fleeing the business with stolen merchandise, English explained.

Gaines was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and retail theft. He was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a notice to appear in court.