Older Woman Survives Strangling At Twin Oaks Apartments: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — A 22-year-old Braidwood resident who was captured after Channahon police deployed stop sticks along Interstate 55, is now in the Will County Jail facing a $500,000 bail. Joliet police say James Rowland tried to strangle a 69-year-old female relative early Saturday morning in the 100 block of Twin Oaks Drive, before fleeing the scene of the crime.

Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Channahon authorities learned that police in Braidwood were trying to find Rowland's Hyundai Sonata because Joliet police wanted to arrest him for aggravated battery.

When Braidwood police spotted Rowland back in his hometown, he sped into Custer Park, and then drove northbound along Interstate 55, according to Channahon deputy police chief Adam Bogart.

Knowing that Rowland was heading their way, Channahon officers used a pair of stop sticks near Route 6 and Interstate 55 and Rowland's tires disintegrated, leaving his car to drive on its rims only, Bogart stated in Monday's press release.

Rowland lost control of his car near milepost 120 on westbound Interstate 80, and Channahon officers took Rowland into custody. Rowland refused emergency medical treatment, and was taken to the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, the following events led to Rowland's arrest:

• Around 2:55 a.m., officers went to Twin Oaks Drive for a domestic disturbance.
• Police learned that after Rowland became angry at the woman, he lunged at her and strangled her with both hands to the point she was not able to breathe.
• Rowland drove off before police officers got to the call.
• A Joliet Fire Department ambulance responded, but the 69-year-old woman refused to go to the hospital.
• Several minutes later, Channahon police notified Joliet authorities that Rowland was in custody following a car crash on Interstate 55.

Will County Jail logs show that Rowland was incarcerated during the first four months of 2022 after Braidwood police arrested him on charges of domestic violence, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery to a police officer and damage to government property.

Last April, Rowland pleaded guilty to aggravated battery of a police officer and aggravated domestic battery. He got credit for 111 days already served in jail, put on two years of court probation and was ordered to undergo anger management counseling classes.

Last week, there was another court hearing on Will County prosecutors' attempt to revoke Rowland's probation, court files show.

In January 2022, Joliet Patch published the following crime article in connection with Rowland's arrest: Braidwood 21-Year-Old Sucker Punches Police Officer: Chief