Joliet Harley Rider's Murder: 3 Arrests Made By IL State Police

JOLIET, IL —The Illinois State Police announced that it has arrested three men in connection with the disappearance and death of Carl Gordon, the Belvidere man who vanished in the summer of 2020 after visiting a building in Joliet on Ruby Street on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Joliet Patch wrote several articles about Gordon's disappearance three years ago.

According to Wednesday's press release, charges of first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful restraint and concealment of a homicidal death are now on file against:

• 43-year-old Jerell T. Burnett of Chicago
• 44-year-old Antoine D. Lovelace of Elgin
• 29-year-old Cody J. Matthews of Marengo

Back on June 18, 2020, at approximately 8 p.m., ISP troopers responded to the Calumet-Sag Channel for a body in the water. Agents identified the victim as 35-year-old Carl E. Gordon Jr.

On September 14, 2023, Burnett, Lovelace, and Matthews were indicted on the charges above out of Will County. Nationwide warrants were issued for each person with $5 million bond. Tuesday, all three were taken into custody without incident.

Lovelace was housed at the Will County Jail, while Burnett and Matthews are awaiting extradition from out of state jurisdictions. No further information will be disseminated, state police said.

ISP said it was assisted by: Blue Island Police Department, Alsip Fire Department, Blue Island Fire Department, Chicago Police Department, Cook County Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Corrections, Joliet Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boone County Sheriff’s Police Department, Boone County Department of Corrections, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Winnebago County Department of Corrections, Franklin, OH Police Department, Indiana State Police, Palatine Police Department, North Central Narcotics Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Northampton County Department of Corrections, PA, Statewide Gaming Command, Calumet Park Police Department, Will County Department of Corrections, Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Previous Joliet Patch coverage:

Missing Harley Rider Carl Gordon: Joliet's Ruby St. Stays Focus

Carl Gordon Homicide: State Police Raid Ruby St. Building

Body Of Harley Rider Carl Gordon Recovered: Family Announces