Joliet's Stranger Danger: Home Invader With Axe Sentenced To Prison

JOLIET, IL — Allen Gillaspie, from Washington state, was sentenced Tuesday morning to 10 years in prison by Will County Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak. Last year, Gillaspie showed up in a Joliet west side subdivision, armed with an axe, to commit a home invasion.

He tried to a shatter glass window of a woman who was home inside. The woman later ran for safety to a neighbor's house, and made it there before Gillaspie got into her home. The late morning crime happened in the 3500 block of Pandola Avenue.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow asked for a 25-year prison term for Gillaspie, now 38 years old, at sentencing. Judge Bertani had latitude to sentence Gillaspie, who hails from Marysville, Washington, between six years and 30 years of prison.

Earlier this year, in a highly unusual decision, Gillaspie served as his own lawyer for his Will County Courthouse jury trial. His jury found him guilty of home invasion in record time.

The Joliet home invasion happened in February 2021 and Joliet police learned of Gillaspie's arrest in the state of California a month later.

Gillaspie's 10-year prison term will be served at the Illinois Department of Corrections at 50 percent, prosecutors told Joliet Patch. Gillaspie also got credit for time already served. He has been living in the Will County Jail since March 20, 2021.

Back on Feb. 5, 2021, Joliet police officers responded to the home invasion around 11:10 a.m. along Pandola Avenue. The home invasion happened in the neighborhood between Addleman and Susan streets.

According to Joliet police, Gillaspie pulled into the victim's driveway and walked to the rear of the woman's home while carrying an axe. He approached her rear glass-sliding door and shattered the glass door with the axe and entered the home.

The resident ran to a neighbor's house and called 911. Gillaspie drove off before Joliet police got to the house, reports show.

"Officers determined that Gillaspie's vehicle had a Washington state registration," police said. On Feb. 19, the Will County State's Attorney Office approved charges and an arrest warrant was issued for Gillaspie.

Related Joliet Patch coverage: Axe-Wielding Joliet Home Intruder Captured In California