Minivan Tries To Run Motorist Off The Road: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police say a 27-year-old resident was arrested early Sunday morning after he tried to run another motorist off the road on the city's east side near Joliet Central.

Officers later tracked down a pair of suspects, and Jose Mascote was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, driving while license suspended and resisting arrest. His passenger, Rene Barbosa, 22 of Joliet, was released on an I-Bond on charges of obstructing a peace officer.

The incident unfolded around 3 a.m. Sunday, near Cass and Scott streets. That's when a patrol officer was flagged down by another motorist.

"The motorist was being followed by two males in a Chrysler Town and Country minivan," police spokesman Dwayne English announced. "Officers learned that the minivan attempted to run the victim off of the roadway and was throwing items at the victim’s vehicle."

Police saw the minivan near Cass and Scott, but the driver chose not to stop and kept driving recklessly at excessive speeds, English said.

The minivan headed on Joliet Street and then eastbound on Clinton Street, and that's when the officers lost sight of the fleeing vehicle.

Several minutes later, Joliet police found the vehicle in a grassy area near Joliet Central High School. The driver and passenger of the minivan tried running away, but the Joliet police captured the pair.

Officers identified the driver as Mascote and the passenger as Barbosa, English said. Mascote held a suspended driver’s license. The minivan was towed from the scene, Joliet police noted.