Joliet Man In Tent Tries Strangling Woman: Police

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police officers hauled away a 50-year-old homeless man in handcuffs on Wednesday after Loren Shepard tried to strangle a woman inside his tent in one of the open fields in the 1800 block of West Jefferson Street, Joliet police reports show.

Now, Shepard is behind bars at the Will County Jail facing aggravated domestic battery charges.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said that Shepard's crime happened this way:

At 8:48 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a field behind 1824 West Jefferson Street for a domestic disturbance. Officers learned that while in a tent in the field, Shepard began to argue with a woman.

During the argument, Shepard punched the victim in the face and then held the victim down and strangled her. The victim escaped the tent and called 911. Joliet Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene, but medical assistance was refused.

Officers were unable to locate Shepard at this time.

Then on Thursday, at 7:30 a.m., Joliet police discovered Shepard back at the tent where the disturbance occurred the day prior. He was placed him into custody without incident.

Shepard's bail has been set at $5,000. He remains incarcerated, unable to come up with the necessary 10 percent to regain his freedom.