Joliet robbery suspect allegedly fired flare gun at victim’s son

A Joliet robbery suspect allegedly fired off a flare gun at a man who was chasing after him when he robbed his mother, police said.

About 9:42 a.m. on Monday, officers responded to a report of a 44-year-old woman whose purse was stolen outside Bank of America, 1550 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, according to a statement from Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English.

Officers learned David Munoz-Ardila, 19, of Joliet, had grabbed the purse from the 44-year-old woman and ran from the area toward the parking lot of a nearby grocery store, English said.

The woman’s 23-year-old son chased after Munoz-Ardila, English said.

“During the chase, Munoz-Ardila produced a flare gun and fired one flare at the victim’s son, striking him in the chest, but causing no injury,” English said.

The woman’s son and other bystanders caught up to Munoz-Ardila and detained him until officers arrived, English said.

Officers recovered the flare gun and another unfired flare, English said. The woman’s purse and the items inside were recovered and returned to the woman, he said.

Munoz-Ardila was arrested on a charge of robbery and taken to the Will County jail.