Landscaper Working Near Joliet Junior College Robbed at Knifepoint

A teen formerly from Tinley Park choked a landscaper, punched him in the face, pulled a knife on him and stole his wallet, police said.

Ryan Jellema, 19, formerly of the 8500 block of Tullamore Drive, was charged with aggravated robbery and robbery in connection with the broad daylight holdup near Joliet Junior College.

The landscaper was working on Commerce Drive by Rock Creek Boulevard about 1 p.m. Wednesday when Jellema crept up behind him and put him in a chokehold, police said.

The landscaper couldn’t breathe, so he elbowed Jellema in the stomach and turned to face him, police said. Jellema then allegedly punched the landscaper in the face, pulled a knife and took his wallet away.

Jellema ran off but was spotted and apprehended by Joliet Junior College police. The college officers held Jellema until city police arrived to arrest him.

Jellema was taken to the Will County jail and his bond—which he had yet to make two days later—was set at $30,000.

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