Why Was Village Of Rockdale The Wild West On Friday Night?

ROCKDALE, IL - This little village just south of Joliet goes by the motto of "Harmony and Industry." Last Friday night, there was not much harmony along the streets of Rockdale, a community of about 2,000. Around 7 p.m., while the sun was still up, several residents were terrified to see multiple rounds of gunfire being shot from a vehicle near the intersection of Midland Avenue and Meadow Avenue.

According to Rockdale Police Chief Robert Dykstra, eyewitnesses called 911 at 7:04 p.m. reporting there were possibly two vehicles shooting at each other. Officers responded quickly and spotted one of the vehicles, a blue Ford Expedition. The driver, Luis A. Martinez, 22, of Joliet, and his 17-year-old passenger, both jumped from the vehicle to avoid being captured.

"We believe the driver and passenger of the Ford Expedition were both firing. The driver and passenger took off running and were caught about six or seven blocks away," Dykstra told Joliet Patch on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old teenager was from Lockport while Martinez lives in the 100 block of Joliet's Adella Avenue. "These persons are known street gang members," Dykstra said.

Rockdale police recovered two handguns that were believed to have been fired during the drive-by shooting. One of the handguns had been reported stolen last year in Oshkosh, WI, Dykstra said.

Police transported the juvenile to an area youth detention facility. Martinez is being locked up at the Will County Adult Detention Facility where he faces a $500,000 bond. Martinez was arrested on four felony charges: aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He was also busted for violating his parole.

Dykstra said it's possible that more arrests may be coming in the days ahead.

Witnesses told Rockdale police that the second vehicle involved in the gunfire was possibly a gold or tan Ford Taurus with a sunroof. "It was driven by an unknown male subject," Dykstra said.

Rockdale police found no evidence that anyone or any nearby homes or businesses were struck by the gunfire.

Booking mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department