Frequent Joliet Inmate Robs Thornton's Gas Station: Complaint

JOLIET — For the fourth time since Christmas, 23-year-old Joliet criminal defendant Joseph Hernandez finds himself locked behind bars at the Will County Jail. This week, Joliet police arrested Hernandez on charges of aggravated robbery and robbery.

Hernandez is too dangerous to be released back into the community, Will County Judge Donald DeWilkins determined. Hernandez was booked into the jail before sunrise on Wednesday. He was living at one of the motels on McDonough Street.

While most residents were sound asleep, Hernandez stole beer and cigarettes from the overnight clerk working at the Thorntons gas station at 400 Collins Street, according to the Joliet Police Department criminal complaint. Hernandez also implied he had a gun with him and that he was ready to use force against the Thornton's clerk, according to the complaint.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office petition to deny pretrial release, outlined the following events leading to this week's arrest on robbery and aggravated robbery charges:

• At 12:36 a.m. Wednesday, Joliet police were called to the east-side Thorntons for a robbery. Hernandez had entered the gas station wearing a black mask, and he took beer and cigarettes while indicating he had a gun.
• Hernandez put his hand inside his jacket, pointing something at two of the employees.
• Both of the workers believed Hernandez had a gun; Hernandez then ran away. One witness told Joliet police that Hernandez demanding a ride across the bridge and the witness complied. Hernandez gave them two beers for the ride and the witness drove back to Thorntons to report what had happened.
• Joliet police found Hernandez near the area where he was dropped off and he tried running from the police, prompting the officers to taser him. The stolen cigarettes and beer were confiscated during the arrest. The Thorntons clerk positively identified Hernandez as the robber.

Prosecutors reminded the judge that Joseph Hernandez already had two arrest warrants for a robbery that happened May 20 and an aggravated robbery from May 17.