Gun Pointed At Woman Driving In Downtown Joliet: Police

JOLIET, IL — Samuel Hicks, a 37-year-old Joliet man from the 200 block of Sherman Street, remains in the Will County Jail after Joliet police say he pointed a gun at a woman driving her car through Joliet's downtown and threatened to shoot her on Friday afternoon.

The victim did not know Hicks., according to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English.

The incident happened while it was still daylight. Joliet police later captured Hicks and jailed him on charges of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault with a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to English:

Officers were flagged down in front of the Joliet Police Department about a person with a gun around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.

The woman had been driving her vehicle southbound on Ottawa Street approaching Cass Street when Hicks pulled alongside her in the left lane and pointed a handgun at her, threatening to shoot her.

Hicks continued southbound on Ottawa, and the victim drove to the Joliet Police Department.

Joliet police found Hicks, near where he lives, in the 200 block of Sherman.

"While speaking to Hicks, officers observed a handgun in plain view inside the vehicle. Hicks was identified as the suspect who pointed the firearm at the victim, and he was placed into custody without incident," English announced.

He said the officers recovered a 9 mm handgun from the vehicle.

Bail for Hicks was set at $50,000. He remains in custody on Tuesday, unable to post the necessary 10 percent to regain his freedom.