Routine stop foils major cocaine delivery
November 1, 2012 9:10PM
Updated: December 3, 2012 6:16AM
WILL COUNTY — A traffic stop of a California couple reportedly turned into a major cocaine bust Monday night.
According to court records, around 7:20 p.m. state police stopped a vehicle on Interstate 80, occupied by Belser U. Matias-Orellana, 29, of Los Angeles, and Yesenia A. Duran, 29, of Perris.
Twenty-one kilograms of cocaine were reportedly found in the vehicle, which would have an estimated street value more than $2 million.
Matias-Orellana and Duran were charged with delivery of narcotics and booked into the county jail. They face prison sentences between six to 30 years if convicted.
Arsonist gets 30 years
JOLIET — A Lockport man convicted of torching his girlfriend’s apartment last year is heading to prison.
Will County Judge Daniel Rozak sentenced Adrian Blalock, 39, to 30 years in prison.
After an argument with his girlfriend in May 2011, Blalock went to her apartment in the 1100 block of North Broadway. While no one was home, he started a fire in her daughter’s bedroom.
No one was hurt in the blaze, but it caused more than $100,000 in damage to the apartment building.
A jury convicted Blalock of residential arson in June.
Police find drugs
JOLIET — Police reportedly found cocaine and marijuana while searching an apartment Wednesday.
Chief Mike Trafton said narcotics unit officers used a search warrant at 8:23 a.m. to enter the second-floor residence at 460 N. Franklin St. Marcus T. Alexander, 28, and Robert F. Silas, 32, were taken into custody.
“Alexander had 24 grams of (marijuana) and $1,400 inside and 45 grams of cocaine was found hidden under the siding of the house outside,” Trafton said.
Silas reportedly had 721 grams of marijuana in his possession.
Both men were arrested on drug charges and booked into the county jail.
In other police news:
Donald J. Poppleton: 27, of Weeping Water, Neb., was arrested by Romeoville police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of narcotics possession, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Steven M. French: 32, of 3035 Peoria St. in Steger, was arrested by Crete police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of narcotics possession, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Tievon Garner: 20, of 97 Pheasant Run Road in Joliet, was arrested by Bolingbrook police and booked into the county jail Saturday on a charge of shoplifting.
Jonathan R. Almanza: 26, of 650 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox, was arrested by New Lenox police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of narcotics possession and marijuana possession.
Elizabeth M. Pope: 27, of 260 Ruby St. in Joliet, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Sunday on charges of aggravated battery and obstructing justice.
Luis A. Collazo: 21, of 1632 Edith Drive in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Sunday on charges of driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Anthony J. Yolich: 21, of 2104 Olde Mill Road in Plainfield, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Sunday on charges of burglary, theft, shoplifting and criminal trespassing.
David A. Manley: 44, of 1589 East Ave. in Crete, was arrested by Crete police and booked into the county jail Sunday on a charge of violating an order of protection.
