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Friday, May 24, 2013

Cops: Man had gun in casino

Updated: January 21, 2013 3:52PM



JOLIET — The gambler sat down, and everyone could see he wasn’t a man to draw against. After all, he was carrying a gun in a casino.

Edgar A. Hoopiiaina, 76, was arrested at 11:57 a.m. Sunday at Harrah’s Casino after he sat down at a table in the Diamond room and took off his jacket to reveal he was wearing a holster with a .38-caliber revolver, authorities said.

The resident of Tucson, Ariz., told police he forgot he was carrying the gun. Since carrying a concealed weapon remains illegal in Illinois, Hoopiiaina was arrested on a charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and released after posting $1,000 bond.

Your ride’s here

WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP — A man who wanted a warm ride home was disappointed after someone stole his vehicle Dec. 12 from outside a bar.

At 1:45 a.m. the man started the vehicle outside Snookers Bar, 23962 W. Stripmine Road, but went back inside to let it warm up.

Will County Sheriff’s police were called a few minutes later when the victim returned to find the vehicle missing.

Make up your mind

JOLIET — Despite allegedly going to extraordinary lengths to return to jail, a man didn’t want to stay long.

On Dec. 8, Robert E. McReynolds, 62, reportedly broke out a window and lit products on fire at a gas station on Briggs Street in Joliet Township.

When Will County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, McReynolds told them he’d caused the damage because he wanted to return to jail, where he’d spent two months until his release three days earlier, police said.

“I wanted to go back to jail and get my ... three square meals. Even though the breakfast is not so good,” McReynolds said, according to reports.

But Dec. 10 McReynolds tipped over two book carts in the jail, police said. McReynolds then took a swing at a correctional officer before being taken down, police said.

According to reports, McReynolds admitted “he tipped over the book carts because he was upset that he had to stay in jail.”

McReynolds subsequently was charged with misdemeanor battery.





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