Wanted Man Found Hiding In Attic By Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — A 35-year-old Joliet criminal defendant was captured Friday afternoon hiding inside the upstairs attic of a two-story house on River Bend Lane, according to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English.

Around 2 p.m., Joliet police converged upon the Lakewood On Caton Farm subdivision after learning that a wanted man, Eric D. Tyler, might be inside the house in the block of River Bend Lane. Joliet police set up a perimeter and blocked traffic access into the subdivision.

The homeowner had called Joliet police, according to English.

The Joliet Police Department's SWAT team — which is called the Special Operations Squad — assisted with Tyler's capture because officers were not sure whether Tyler had a weapon or not.

Joliet police were aware of past issues with Tyler at the same River Bend Lane residence, according to English.

The SWAT team cleared the house and made entry, finding Tyler hiding in the attic, according to English. Tyler was the only person inside the house, and no guns were found at the time of his capture.

English said that Tyler had several outstanding warrants for his arrest: two counts of domestic battery, possession of a gun by a felon and theft/loan fraud/wire fraud.

Tyler has lived in the 800 block of Ann Street, Joliet police noted.