Joliet Fentanyl Dealer Crashes Into Unmarked Squad, 3 Arrested: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 34-year-old Joliet man from the 400 block of West Jefferson Street was arrested by Joliet police after crashing into an unmarked police car and hitting three parked cars, according to Joliet police reports. Some of the officers had to jump out of the way to avoid being hurt.

Now, Martin Craig is staying in the Will County Jail where he's charged with:

• Five counts of aggravated assault
• Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
• Obstructing a Peace Officer
• Driving While License Revoked
• A Grundy County Arrest Warrant and an Illinois Department of Corrections Arrest Warrant.

Also, two women who were in Craig's automobile were also taken into custody, according to Joliet police:

Rebecca Cortez, 34, of Dwight, possession of a controlled substance and possession with Intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Kaitlin Findley, 23, of Crest Hill, on charges of disorderly conduct.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, the following events led to the three arrests over the past weekend:

• Around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Joliet police say Craig in an Audi A5 in the Sunshine Food Mart parking lot at Wilcox and Ruby Streets and knew he had a Grundy County arrest warrant for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and an Illinois Department of Corrections parole violation arrest warrant.
• Officers tried to block Craig’s vehicle with illuminated emergency lights in their unmarked squad, but Craig's put his vehicle in drive and began driving at multiple officers, all of whom had to quickly jump out of the way.
• While fleeing in his vehicle, Martin struck one unmarked squad car as well as three additional unoccupied private vehicles.
• Martin’s Audi struck a nearby fence and fled northbound on Wilcox Street at a high rate of speed.
• Officers did not conduct a high speed pursuit out of a concern for safety.
• A short time later, police spotted the Audi unoccupied near Hosmer Street and Inner Circle in Crest Hill and learned that Craig and others may be in a nearby house in the 1800 block of Inner Circle.
• Officers from both Joliet and Crest Hill made contact with Martin at the residence, and Craig was placed into custody without further incident.
• The two young women, Cortez and Findley, were also placed into custody at the residence.
• After searching the home, officers recovered suspected cocaine and fentanyl.

"Officers learned that Findley had been texting 911 in an attempt to draw officers to a different residence. Officers received consent to search the home," English revealed.