Loaded Gun At Cinemark Theater Disturbance, 3 Teens Arrested: JPD

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police arrested a 17-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl after a Saturday evening disturbance inside a Cinemark movie theater at the Louis Joliet Mall involved a loaded gun, authorities announced.

The 17-year-old boy was later booked into the River Valley Justice Center on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, mob action and disorderly conduct. The 16-year-old girl was brought to River Valley on charges of mob action and disorderly conduct, and the 16-year-old boy was charged with mob action and disorderly conduct and released to a parent.

Saturday's incident happened around 7:45 p.m.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English the following events unfolded:

A Joliet officer assigned to a contract security detail at the Louis Joliet Mall was notified by mall security about the disturbance inside one of the Cinemark movie theaters.

As additional Joliet police responded to the movie theater property, police learned that one of the teenagers may be armed with a handgun.

Moments later, two males and a female started running away from the theater through the parking lot after Cinemark staff tried to remove them from the theater.

Officers chased after the three and eventually caught up to them in the parking lot of Home2Suites, 4095 Hennepin Drive where they were all arrested.

Officers recovered a loaded .45 caliber handgun from the ground where the three suspects were seen running.

The 17-year-old boy had previously possessed the handgun, English said.

"This incident was isolated in nature and there is no danger to the community," Sunday's Joliet police press release advised.