Joliet's Chronic Drunken Driver Jose Raya Lands In Jail: Police

JOLIET, IL — Jose Raya, one of Joliet's most notorious drunken drivers, a man who Will County prosecutors say continues to get inside his family's automobiles after consuming alcohol, is now locked away in the Will County Jail.

According to Joliet police, the 49-year-old Raya was arrested, processed and taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility last week for an outstanding Will County warrant.

On February 29, 2024, at 4 p.m., officers on patrol saw Raya in the driveway of his house in the 600 block of Cleveland Avenue. Officers knew Raya held an active Will County warrant for failing to appear in court on previous DUI charges. Raya was placed into custody without incident.

On Feb. 5, Joliet Patch published the following headline: 10 Prior DUIs For Joliet Man, Brother's Ford Focus Faces Forfeiture

On Dec. 7, "Officers observed Jose Raya to have glassy eyes, slow and slurred speech, with slow and delayed movements," Raya's criminal complaint stated. "Initially, the driver identified himself as Enrique Raya, the registered owner of the ... vehicle and brother to Jose Raya. Jose Raya stated he had consumed two bottles of cough syrup because he had a cold."