Bar Patron Scammed Elderly Neighbor And City Tavern: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — Bail is set at $33,000 for a 24-year-old Joliet resident accused of stealing several blank checks from his elderly neighbor on the city's west side and also refusing to pay his bar tab at Joliet's City Tavern on multiple instances.

Kevin Correa, who comes from the 1000 block of Oneida, is now locked away from society at the Will County Jail. Joliet police charged him with three counts of forgery and five counts of theft.

The authorities in Cook County also had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, the events leading to Correa's arrest trace all the way back to October:

• On Oct. 22, someone made a theft report at the Joliet police station.
• Joliet police learned that Correa was suspected of stealing multiple blank checks from an 80-year-old neighbor’s checkbook and cashing them, stealing more than $2,000 in total.
• Correa was originally supposed to be paid for work on the victim’s property, however, no work was ever completed.
• Then, on Thursday, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office obtained a warrant to arrest Correa on the charges involving theft and forgery.
• Around 12:40 p.m. Joliet police went to City Tavern, 1329 West Jefferson Street, for a past tense report of theft. Officers learned that on two prior occasions, Correa was suspected of charging bar tabs on debit cards in his name left at the bar in which charges were declined.
• In both situations, Correa had left the City Tavern before without paying for the drinks.
• Officers found Correa at his residence in the 1000 block of Oneida and took him into custody.
• Correa was wanted on an additional arrest warrant from Cook County for DUI.