Man Punched Stranger As He Tried To Hide From Joliet Police: Cops

JOLIET, IL - A 21-year-old Plainfield resident remains at the Will County Adult Detention Facility after trying to flee Joliet Police officers, first in his car and then on foot, reports show. Dwight Watkins the third eventually ditched his car and later ran into somebody's house, where he punched a stranger in his attempt to avoid the police, authorities say.

Watkins is now in jail facing charges of manufacturing marijuana, possessing marijuana, criminal trespass to a residence, battery, aggravated fleeing and eluding the police and reckless driving. And there's more.

Watkins also faces charges of driving with a suspended license, obstructing justice and resisting a police officer and possessing drug equipment. He was booked into the county detention facility shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 24.

According to Joliet Police, officers on patrol tried to stop Watkins for committing a traffic violation on Tuesday at Bedford Drive and Brighton Lane, on the city's far west side near Theodore Street.

At first, Watkins pulled over the gray Nissan Rogue, but then he decided to hit the gas and speed off, police say. During the pursuit, Watkins committed several more traffic violations, and officers terminated the chase because of the driver's reckless behavior, police say.

Several minutes later, however, officers noticed Watkins standing near a large pine tree not far from the area where the police last saw his Nissan Rogue. When he made eye contact with the police, Watkins took off and ran into somebody's house, police said.

"He illegally entered into a residence and also struck a citizen with his fist," Joliet Police said.

After catching Watkins, the Joliet Police say they found several plastic bags of marijuana inside Watkins' backpack as well as in his car. Jail logs also show Watkins has lived in Naperville.

Mugshot via Will County Sheriff