Man leads police on highway chase after allegedly robbing gas station
October 1, 2012 8:40PM
Updated: November 3, 2012 6:07AM
BOLINGBROOK — Police say a Chicago man led police on a highway chase in a stolen car after holding up a gas station Sunday night.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Joseph L. Johnson, 32, allegedly came into Marathon Gas, 290 Veterans Parkway, and demanded money and cigarettes while pointing a silver semi-automatic handgun at the clerk. After taking nearly $1,200 and cartons of cigarettes, the bandit fled in a white Buick Century and the employee called 911 with a description, Lt. Mike Rompa said.
The Buick, which reports say was reported stolen out of Chicago, was spotted by officers on northbound Interstate 55 and was pursued to 83rd Street in Woodridge.
“(Johnson) exited his vehicle and fled on foot — jumping a fence — and then entered a residential neighborhood,” Rompa said. “After a foot chase and search of several properties, he was located hiding in a shed at a residence in Darien by Bolingbrook officers.”
The handgun, cash and cigarettes reportedly were recovered.
Johnson, of 9540 S. Perry Ave., was booked into the county jail on charges of armed robbery, armed violence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, aggravated fleeing from police and motor vehicle theft.
Man carrying gun tries to flee
JOLIET — Police say a 21-year-old man was carrying a handgun while trying to flee from officers early Sunday.
Capt. Tab Jensen said around 2 a.m. police saw David G. Gildon commit a traffic violation in the 200 block of North Eastern Avenue and tried to pull the vehicle over.
The chase ended when Gildon crashed into a tree in the 300 block of Parks Avenue and “ran from the vehicle while holding his waistband,” Jensen said.
After Gildon was captured, police reportedly found a .22-caliber handgun in a back yard on Benton Street and 40 rounds of ammunition and marijuana in the vehicle.
Gildon, of 3 N. Cagwin Ave., was booked into the county jail on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, driving on a suspended license, resisting arrest and aggravated fleeing from police.
Fire news in brief:
No one was injured when fire damaged a garage and car Sunday night in the 1200 block of Sandpiper Court in Joliet.
No injuries were reported when fire started around 6 p.m. Sunday in the maintenance shop at Dresden Nuclear Power Plant in Morris. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the blaze did not threaten the generating facility.
In other police news:
Nicholas E. Jefferson: 32, address unknown, was arrested by state police and booked into the county jail Thursday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
