Joliet Walmart Busts These 2 For Stealing TV: Complaint

JOLIET, IL - If you read the Joliet Patch regularly, you know the Joliet Walmart store at 2424 Jefferson Street is a hot spot for crimes of shoplifting. In fact, rarely a week goes by without someone trying to rip off store merchandise. Quite often, Will County Courthouse records show, the thieves are caught in the act and then they're hauled off to the county jail. This week, 22-year-old Kyle N. Martin, and Jordan M. Morgan, face a multiple count criminal complaint, Will County's court records show.

Martin and Morgan are each charged with two counts of retail theft.

The complaint, filed this week by the Joliet Police Department, states that on Saturday, June 30, Martin and Morgan "knowingly took possession of ... a Phillips television set and other items, the full retail value of which exceeds $300, with the intention of depriving the merchant permanently of the benefit of such merchandise ..."

Both young men, who don't reside in Will County, are also convicted thieves, their new criminal charges reflect.

Morgan, 21, of Kankakee, was previously convicted of retail theft in 2017 in Iroquois County and Martin, 22, of Watseka, Illinois, was also convicted in 2017 in retail theft in Iroquois County.

As a result, both defendants are now on notice that "it is the intent of the People for the state of Illinois to seek an enhanced Class 4 sentence based upon the defendant's prior conviction for retail theft …"

Martin's bail got set at $50,000, which means he needs $5,000 cash to get out of jail. "As a condition of bond, defendant shall have no contact with Walmart," court records show.

As for Morgan, who is a year younger, his bail was set at $35,000. He, too, must stay away from Walmart in the event he makes bail.

Both young men remained incarcerated at the Will County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon.

Main image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor, mugshots via Will County Sheriff