'Outstanding' Detective Work Solves Denny's Murder: Roechner

JOLIET, IL — On Thursday afternoon, Joliet Police revealed the events surrounding last week's cold-blooded murder near the Denny's Restaurant on Plainfield Road. Restaurant customer Gregory G. Brown, 36, of Crest Hill, died from a single gunshot wound. Now, two young men from Chicago and a young woman who used to live in Joliet face first-degree murder charges.

"I do want to thank our detectives and officers for their outstanding work and their relentless pursuit for those responsible," Joliet Chief of Police Al Roechner said in a statement. "Because of their dedication to bring some sense of justice to Brown’s loved ones, the three people responsible for his untimely death are in custody."

Shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, Joliet Police responded to the Denny's, and officers found Brown in the parking lot.

He was already dead.

"Joliet Police Detectives were able to view surveillance video from within the Denny’s Restaurant that showed a female speaking with the victim prior to the homicide," Joliet Police explained on Thursday. The release of video surveillance from inside the Denny's Restaurant was instrumental in breaking the case open.

"Numerous tips were received on the identity of the female. Detectives were able to confirm the identity of the female as Bobbie J. Ollom from Seneca," police noted, adding that they believe the murder took place in her vehicle.

"Through the investigation, detectives were able to determine that Ollom’s boyfriend, Joshua T. Anderson, and Christopher C. Parker lured Brown into Ollom’s vehicle with the intent of robbing Brown. During the course of the robbery, Brown was shot in the head inside of Ollom’s vehicle. Brown was then pulled out of the vehicle and left in the parking lot," police said.

Police say the three murder suspects left Joliet and headed to Chicago, where Anderson lived, jail logs show.

"Ollom, Anderson and Parker then left the area and dropped off Ollom’s vehicle in Chicago. Ollom and Anderson were able to get another vehicle and eventually headed west towards Iowa," police noted. "Detectives were able to determine that Ollom and Anderson might be staying at a relative of Ollom’s house in West Burlington, Iowa."

Joliet Police then worked with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa.

"Through their help, both Ollom and Anderson were taken into custody on May 3rd on a traffic stop. Detectives drove out to Burlington, Iowa and spoke to both Ollom and Anderson," the press release explains.

As of May 9, Ollom and Anderson remain at the Des Moines County Corrections Facility awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Joliet Police say they impounded his vehicle in Chicago and it's now in evidence.

As for Parker, the Chicago Police Department took him into custody on Tuesday, May 7, "per our request on probable cause."

Police continued: "Joliet Police Detectives went to Chicago and brought Parker back to the Joliet Police Station. Detectives were then able to secure an Arrest Warrant for Parker. Parker was booked and transported to the WCADF."

Chief Roechner's press release thanked all of the police agencies who helped in the homicide case.

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of Gregory Brown," Roechner said. "While nothing can bring back their loved one, hopefully they can sleep a little easier at night knowing those responsible are in custody."