Joliet Purse Snatcher Punches Victim In Her Face: Police

JOLIET, IL — A 49-year-old man from Springfield who now lives in Lockport was arrested this week by Joliet police in connection with a violent purse-snatching incident in Joliet on North Bluff Street.

Joliet police say Donnie Jones was hauled off to the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated battery, theft and two counts of resisting/obstructing a peace officer.

Monday's incident happened at 8:40 a.m.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English:

• Officers responded to the 400 block of North Bluff Street for a theft. Jones had been a guest of a tenant in the building at 407 North Bluff Street.
• As the tenant went to the restroom, Jones suddenly rushed out of the apartment and the victim noticed that her purse was missing. Police said the victim went outside and saw Jones holding her purse, at which time he walked up to her and began handing her various contents of her purse, including pepper spray, but he refused to return the purse to the victim.
• According to police, the victim then chased after Jones while attempting to spray him with pepper spray. Officials said Jones then stopped running and struck the victim in the face multiple times, causing her to fall to the ground.
• A family member of the victim intervened to stop the attack.
• Officers arrived and ordered Jones to submit to arrest, to which police say he refused. Jones continued to pull away and to try to escape. Jones was eventually secured after a taser was deployed, and he was placed into custody without further incident.

Will County Jail records indicate Jones was freed from custody around supper time on Tuesday.