Western Ave. Man Faces Armed Habitual Criminal Charges

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Sheriff's Office has filed two felony charges against a convicted kidnapper who lives in the 400 block of Joliet's Western Avenue. Lorenzo Bell, 43, was taken away in handcuffs last Thursday on charges of armed habitual criminal and unlawful use of a weapon.

The criminal complaint indicates that Bell possessed a Walther PPX .40 semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 21 even though he has previous felony convictions from 2000 in Cook County for kidnapping and 2008 in Cook County for unlawful use of a weapon.

Bell's new unlawful use of a weapon charge states that he knowingly possessed a magazine containing .40-caliber ammunition inside his Joliet abode.

A Will County judge set Bell's bail at $500,000. A week later, he remained in county lockup unable to post the necessary 10 percent, which is $50,000, to regain his freedom.

Other recent arrests in the 400 block of Western Avenue:

• 2 Joliet Men Dealt Heroin, Fentanyl: Prosecutors
• Marshalls Shoplifter Faces 2 Charges: Complaint