Stolen Gun Brought To Joliet's Gateway Center Train Station, Chicago Man Tasered By Joliet Police: English

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department issued a press release now that 34-year-old criminal defendant Terrion Townsel has been moved to the Will County Jail after spending a few days recovering at St. Joe's Hospital. Townsel brought a stolen gun out of Chicago to Joliet's train station and the officers eventually used a Taser to subdue him, the arrest report showed.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English's press release, at 9:30 p.m. last Saturday, the officers responded to the Joliet Gateway Center at 90 East Jefferson Street for a reported disturbance. Officers were advised that two men were in an argument that began in a lobby restroom and continued into the main lobby.

A Gateway Center security guard intervened in an attempt to stop the argument. During the incident, one of the men carrying a backpack began grabbing it in a manner that suggested he may have been armed, according to English.

Officers were provided with a description of the man with the backpack and later located him near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Washington Street: Terrion Townsel, who was standing near a partially open backpack at his feet.

English explained that Townsel told officers he did not have a gun. When officers attempted to conduct a pat-down for weapons, Townsel resisted, trying to push away from officers, and tried to flee while ignoring commands to stop.

During the ensuing struggle, Townsel fell to the ground and attempted to grab his backpack. An officer deployed a taser, and Townsel was taken into custody without further incident, the arrest report noted.

Officers then recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from inside Townsel’s open backpack. A records check revealed the gun had been reported stolen out of Chicago, English indicated.

After being transported to the Joliet Police Department, Townsel complained of a medical issue and was transported by the Joliet Fire Department to St Joseph Medical Center. Townsel was released from the hospital on Tuesday, and he refused to cooperate with processing.

He was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen firearm, obstructing justice, and two counts of resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Townsel remained in the Will County Jail as of Wednesday morning.