Joliet Carjacker Uses 2 By 4 To Club His Victim, Steal Their GMC Terrain: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — Carjackings are not supposed to happen in Joliet, they rarely happen in Joliet, but earlier this week, Joliet police and the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force teamed up to make the arrest of long-time Joliet criminal 37-year-old Martin Craig.

Friday's Tri-County Task Force press release indicates that Craig is now charged with aggravated vehicle hijacking, armed robbery not using a gun, possession of a stolen vehicle, two crimes of aggravated battery, one count of obstructing justice and a parole violation from the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Friday's press release noted that on Tuesday, Joliet police responded to a call in the 1400 block of North Prairie Avenue. A carjacking victim was stuck with a wooden 2x4, and the suspect went through the victim's pockets, stole $500 cash, along with the keys to the victim's GMC Terrain, according to police.

From there, officials say the carjacker, identified as Craig, drove off with his victim's auto, the press release noted.

By early Wednesday morning, the auto task force began investigating the horrific and senseless violence on Joliet's west side, and they used the city's massive Flock camera license plate reader system to find the stolen GMC Terrain at the Murphy's Express at 2504 West Jefferson Street.

Craig was still in the driver's seat, and when he tried to flee, Joliet police officers went after him and captured him before he got away, the press release said.

Craig was released from the Illinois Department of Corrections on March 9 for an armed robbery he committed, police said.

"Thank you JPD officers, JPD crime scene investigations unit and Will County State's Attorney's Office for their assistance in this matter," the Tri-County press release ended.