Gun Found At Spieler Park, Seeser Street Man Arrested: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 21-year-old man who lives on Seeser Street is now in the Will County Jail after Joliet police say he had a stolen gun and tried to hide it during the middle of the night near Spieler Park.

Officers took Phillip Martinez into custody after finding him hiding in the 0 to 100 block of Seeser Street, which is near where he lives. Martinez is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen gun, having no Firearm Owners ID card (FOID), unlawful possession of ammunition and obstructing a peace officer.

Thursday's incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Joliet police were called to Seeser and Washington streets regarding a report of someone outside with a gun.

Officers saw someone matching the description of the person with the gun standing near Seeser Street and Washington Street, police reports show.

The suspect ran as officers approached him and when police checked the area, Martinez was hiding behind a residence on Seeser Street, police noted.

The young man was taken into custody, and a 9 mm handgun was discovered on the ground near Spieler Park, which is near Seeser and Washington Streets, police announced.

On Friday, a Will County judge set bail at $7,500 for Martinez, who remained in detention at 5 p.m. unable to post the necessary 10 percent to regain his freedom.