Joliet Gun Raid: 16 Arrests, 31 Illegal Weapons, 200 Grams Of Cocaine

JOLIET, IL — A Tuesday morning police and ATF raid around Joliet resulted in the seizure of 31 illegal guns, more than 200 grams of cocaine and arrest warrants issued for 16 people, several being suspected gang members of the Vice Lords and Gangster Disciples. Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow held an 11 a.m. press conference displaying many of the semi-automatic guns that were confiscated by Joliet police. A dozen of the police sweep's targets are now in custody. Police are still looking for the remaining four.

"This investigation does not end today," said Celinez Nunez, special agent in charge of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives out of Chicago.

Glasgow addressed the press gathered at the conference room at the Joliet Police Department, remarking how he was very proud of the preparation that went into orchestrating Tuesday morning's police busts across the Joliet area.

"The charges we brought today, we pulled out the stops," Glasgow said. "We're gunning to put these people away as long as possible."

There are more than 1,000 police officers employed throughout Will County, Glasgow said, adding that the intensity on the part of local law enforcement and his team of prosecutors won't let up.

"We're all pulling to make this a safe police," Glasgow said.

The dozen or so people already taken into custody around 6 a.m. were scattered throughout Joliet, not concentrated to a single neighborhood or particular street, said Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton.

"I'm here to tell you that this isn't the last time we do something" like this, Benton said, referring to the large police sweep that involved more than 100 law enforcement agents from the ATF, Joliet Police Department, the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad and the Will County State's Attorney's Office.

"Get used to it, because we're coming again and again and as a team," Benton said, directing his message "to the criminal element."

Glasgow said it's crucial for Joliet police and Will County to take a hard-line stance and confiscate as many illegal firearms as possible. Many are semi-automatic weapons. Along those lines, Glasgow said the current trend amongst gang members is "to get a body"; in essence, shoot an innocent civilian completely at random as a way to prove your worth or value to other gang members.

"The illegal guns are the ones killing people," Glasgow said. "The illegal guns, in their supply, will never end. (But) I think this demonstrates what we can do ..."

According to Glasgow's office, several people rounded up Tuesday were charged with possessing stolen firearms or gunrunning. Five were charged with being armed habitual criminals based on their extensive criminal histories.

Talking about the Vice Lords and Gangster Disciples, Glasgow said, "Human life has very little meaning to them."

Glasgow said large police sweeps like Tuesday's will help make a dent in deterring violent crime activity around Will County.

"Obviously, the city of Chicago has an issue they are dealing with," Glasgow said. It's "a different situation in Will County. Our population is more spread out ... We have informants here. They're very productive, and we'll continue to use them. People call the police here."

Glasgow said under his watch, "We're never going to allow what's happening there (in Chicago) to happen here."

Images via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak