Joliet Hollywood Casino Parking Deck Break-In: Forfeiture

JOLIET, IL — The Will County State's Attorney of James Glasgow wants the 2005 Hyundai XG350 belonging to a Joliet woman from the 400 block of Western Avenue to be declared a forfeited asset for the police. According to prosecutors, Armoni Strickland's car served as the getaway vehicle in the Nov. 17 parking deck burglary at Joliet's Hollywood Casino.

On Nov. 18, Joliet Police interviewed a woman who told them that her black Honda Civic was broken into and she discovered all four windows were slightly ajar and the driver's side window was all the way down. The woman discovered that her backpack containing her company-issued laptop computer was stolen from the backseat floorboard where she left it.

Later that day, one of the Illinois State Police gaming agents notified Joliet Police "that he obtained video surveillance of two individuals burglarizing the black Honda Civic belonging to (the victim)," court documents state. The two suspects arrived in the 2005 Hyundai XG350 and parked near victim's car and later went into the casino.

"Kevon Washington was observed to return to the parking garage and is seen going in and out of the 2005 Hyundai XG 350 several times and looking around the black Honda Civic," the forfeiture complaint states. "A short time later, Terrance Pierce returns to the parking garage and makes contact with Washington.

"Pierce then enters the driver's seat of the Hyundai while Washington appears to be watching/waiting for other unrelated individuals in the parking garage to leave," the complaint reads. "Approximately two minutes later, the car alarm on the black Honda Civic goes off and Washington runs from the black Honda Civic carrying what appears to be a large object. Washington enters the Hyundai through the right rear passenger door and the Hyundai leaves the casino garage."

On Nov. 19, one of the Joliet Police officers on routine patrol spotted the 2005 Hyundai turn from South William Street onto West Jefferson Street without using a turn signal, court documents show. The officer stopped the car near Hunter Avenue and told the driver, Armoni Strickland, the reason for the traffic stop and he notified her of the police bulletin regarding her car being used in the recent parking deck break-in at Hollywood Casino, the forfeiture complaint reflects.

"Armoni advised that she was aware of the incident, but refused to provide any information regarding it, Armoni was issued a warning for the traffic violation and the vehicle was towed per the (Intelligence) Bulletin," court documents note.

Now, Strickland's car is facing a Will County police forfeiture because it was used to transport Kevin Washington and Terrance Pierce back and forth from Hollywood Casino's parking deck "where the burglary to motor vehicle took place," the complaint states.

A hearing on the forfeiture is set for Feb. 5 in Will County court.

Washington, 23, who lives on Honeytree Drive in Romeoville, was captured by the Will County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, Jan. 5. He is charged with burglary and theft, and his bail was set at $50,000, jail logs show.

Pierce and Strickland, the Hyundai's owner, have not been charged with any crimes in connection with the Nov. 17 car break-in, court files reflect.