Notorious Joliet Criminal Defendant Captured After Latest Shooting

JOLIET, IL — Johnny Hernandez was captured by Joliet police on Thursday night following a shooting in the 800 block of Richmond Street. Hernandez also faces criminal charges of burglary and aggravated battery in connection with a crime at the Joe's Beverage Warehouse at 3001 West Jefferson St. three weeks ago.

Back on Aug. 6, around 11:40 p.m. Hernandez was one of several suspects who stole a bottle of tequila from Joe's Beverage, according to Joliet police reports. When a Joe's Beverage employee approached Hernandez and his friends regarding the theft, the employee got hit in the face and the thieves got away, according to police.

Joliet's detectives identified Hernandez as one of the suspects.

On Thursday, a warrant was issued for Hernandez's arrest. By 7:40 p.m., police learned of gunshots on Richmond Street. A house was shot up, and nobody was hurt.

"During the course of the investigation into this incident, officers observed Hernandez entering a residence in the 500 block of Oneida Street," police spokesman Dwayne English announced. "Officers maintained a perimeter around this residence. A short time later, Hernandez exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident."

Both the retail theft and shots fired incidents remain under investigation at this time, English said.

Joliet Patch has written numerous articles about Hernandez and his criminal cases in Joliet in recent years. Back in June, Joliet Patch had an article headlined, "$1M Bail For 2 Joliet Brothers In Miami Street Shooting."

In that case, a woman suffered two gunshot wounds and a man was not injured by the gunfire during a weekday 11 p.m. shooting in the 500 block of Joliet Township's Miami Street. In that case, Will County Sheriff's spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer notified Joliet Patch that the two were outside on their porch when Hernandez and his older brother fired several gunshots at the couple.

Hernandez spent one month in jail in that case and got released on July 15 when a Will County judge agreed to lower his $1 million bail down to $100,000.