Trip to store nets parolee 8 felony charges
By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com May 29, 2012 7:28PM
Updated: July 3, 2012 12:59PM
JOLIET — Bad timing and his own actions allegedly led a parolee to do “almost everything he could” to get back behind bars Saturday.
Andrew I. Miles, 23, allegedly committed eight felonies in front of a police officer Saturday afternoon.
Officer James Schnura was taking an unrelated report on a shoplifting incident at K-Mart, 1801 W. Jefferson St., when Miles walked in, Cmdr. Al Roechner said.
“Despite the marked squad car parked right by the front door, Miles tried on a pair of women’s sunglasses and walked out without paying for them,” Roechner said. “He got into a red pickup truck that was parked in the fire lane and was dropped off at a green Oldsmobile Alero in the middle of the parking lot.”
According to reports, Schnura approached the Oldsmobile and saw a marijuana joint on the front seat as he took Miles into custody.
While searching Miles, he reportedly found he was carrying 20 rocks of cocaine and a “large knife” in his pockets. He also had a black ski mask in his back pocket, Roechner said.
Police then searched the vehicle and found a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun, Roechner said.
Miles was booked into the county jail on charges of possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, unauthorized possession of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, armed violence, retail theft and parole violations.
In August 2011, Miles was released on parole from the Sheridan Correctional Center while serving a four-year sentence for drug dealing following a 2009 arrest in Will County.
In September 2008, Miles was one of five people arrested after Joliet police stopped the car he was riding in and found a loaded gun, reports said.
