Shorewood Paramedic Alex Wilhelmi Faces Drug Charges, Theft

SHOREWOOD, IL —A 32-year-old Joliet resident who worked for Metro Paramedic Services and served as a contracted employee for Troy Fire Protection District now faces three criminal charges following a four-and-a-half month criminal investigation by Shorewood's Police Department.

A bench warrant was issued by Will County Judge Chrystel Gavlin for criminal defendant Alex Wilhelmi, who comes from the 1100 block of Taylor Street, in Joliet's Cathedral Area.

Wilhelmi has been charged with theft and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

On May 8, Wilhelmi possessed cocaine, according to the criminal complaint from Shorewood Police Detective Paul Retzke. That same day, court filings show, Wilhelmi also unlawfully possessed ketamine and the theft charge states Wilhelmi obtained or exerted unauthorized control over property from the Morris Hospital at 150 West High St., specifically medical narcotics, "with the intent to deprive the owner permanently of the use or benefit of said property."

Shorewood Deputy Police Chief Jason Barten said the investigation was lengthy because Shorewood police had to verify the contraband and also work the investigation through numerous entities including Troy Fire, Metro Paramedics and the Morris Hospital in addition to conducting numerous interviews with various employees.

Barten said it's his understanding the cocaine and other controlled substances were discovered by Troy Fire Protection District staff at Fire Station 2 on Seil Road. Afterward, Wilhelmi was escorted off the property, back on May 8, and he is not involved with Troy Fire any longer.

On the date of the incident in May, Wilhelmi acknowledged the contraband was his, Barten said. Troy Fire staff notified Shorewood police of the incident after discovering a small bag of white powder, that later proved to be cocaine, the deputy police chief said.

The arrest warrant was left blank on the line for Wilhelmi's current place of employment. He is 6-foot-tall, 170 lbs, white, with brown hair and blue eyes.

According to its website, "Established in 1984, Metro Paramedic Services, Inc. specializes in meeting the unique personnel staffing, vehicle, maintenance, uniform and equipment needs of municipalities, volunteer fire departments, fire districts, industrial facilities and government agencies ... Metro paramedics and firefighters currently serve multiple communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin."

Barten said the arrest warrant for Wilhelmi has not been served yet, even though police have reached out to Wilhelmi and his criminal defense attorney "and we have yet to hear back." The bench warrant was issued on Monday.

Judge Gavlin has ordered Wilhelmi to be held for pretrial detention or conditions of release hearing, court documents show.