Woman Fakes Being Stabbed, Chases Man With Heavy Drill: JPD

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police officers made two arrests, a 32-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, during the early morning hours of Sunday at the former Evergreen Terrace public housing projects, now known as Riverwalk Homes.

Jowanna Gaddis was in the Will County Jail facing two counts of criminal trespass, plus criminal damage to property and two assault charges. As for Eric Sims, he was released on an I-bond on charges of battery.

In a lengthy press release, Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English outlined the events leading to the arrests of Gaddis and Sims:

• At 1:22 a.m. Sunday, Joliet squad cars arrived at the Riverwalk Homes building of 358 North Broadway Street for an unwanted person incident.
• Officers learned that Gaddis went to an apartment and began kicking and damaging the door, forcing her way inside.
• Once inside, Gaddis began damaging several plates and glasses in the apartment, according to police. Gaddis was an acquaintance of the tenant.
• Then, police said, Gaddis approached a woman and Sims, indicating she had been stabbed, but there was no evidence that Gaddis had been stabbed.
• When Sims left the apartment, Gaddis chased after him and threw a drill at him, but her throw missed, according to officials.
• Officers checked the area but could not find Gaddis.
• A short time later, officers were sent back to the same Riverwalk Homes apartment after police say Gaddis had returned.
• Once again, authorities say Gaddis forced her way inside the apartment. Sims then punched Gaddis in the mouth, causing minor injury, police said.
• Both Gaddis and Sims were taken into custody without any further problems.,
• Joliet police found no evidence of anyone being stabbed.

Gaddis, who comes from the 500 block of Bellarmine Drive, off McDonough Street, is no longer incarcerated after posting 10 percent of her $5,000 bail late Sunday afternoon.