Joliet police arrest suspects linked to armed robbery that involved a shooting

Two male teens are in custody, charged in connection with the robbery of two other teens in a far west side neighborhood of Joliet and shooting one of the victim’s vehicle, police said.

Officers responded to the armed robbery about 11 a.m. Thursday in the 500 block of Silver Leaf Drive, said Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English. Officers learned two 17-year-old girls were sitting in a Pontiac Grand Am when they were robbed.

Two 17-year-old male suspects were apprehended following the investigation of the incident. One of the suspects is charged with armed robbery and aggravated discharge of a firearm and the other is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to police.

One of the two suspects approached the passenger side of the vehicle and placed a handgun against the passenger’s neck while demanding her purse, English said.

After the suspect grabbed the purse, he then grabbed the vehicle’s keys from the driver.

However, the driver engaged in a struggle with the suspect and took the keys back from the suspect.

During the struggle, the suspect fired his handgun and one round struck the driver’s side door of the vehicle.

Both 17-year-old victims chased after the suspect when he fled through the neighborhood. The suspect was last seen near a residence in the 500 block of Silver Falls Street. Officers eventually found the suspect in the area and placed him into custody, according to police

The suspect was not found at the residence by officers with the Joliet Police Special Operations Squad.

The second alleged offender ran from the rear of the residence. Officers caught up to this male in the 600 block of Winterberry Court and placed him into custody, according to police. Upon searching the bag he was carrying, officers recovered three loaded handguns, according to police.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for the area, as well as Troy Heritage School. At 1:35 p.m., the shelter-in-place order was lifted.