Joliet teenager dies in Route 59 crash

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

JOLIET — A 16-year-old boy died Sunday evening after a vehicle he was driving crashed into a backyard in Joliet.

William Lomeli of Joliet was driving north on Route 59 when the vehicle left the road, struck multiple fixed objects and came to rest in a backyard in the 4700 block of Pratt Court in Joliet, the Will County Coroner’s office said.

Lomeli was pronounced dead on the scene at 7 p.m., according to the coroner’s office.

An autopsy Monday found the teen died of head and brain injuries, but the manner of death remained under investigation pending additional studies and a police investigation, the coroner’s office said.

Joliet police are investigating.

Shots fired outside nightclub

JOLIET — A 28-year-old Joliet man was arrested early Sunday morning after police say he fired seven shots into the air outside a downtown nightclub on the 0-100 block of West Cass Street.

Police say gang members congregating at the nightclub got into a fight and it spilled outside. One man pulled a 9mm pistol and fired it at least seven times, according to police reports.

A sergeant a couple of blocks away heard the shots and arrived on the scene. Witnesses directed him to an alley where he saw two men walking. The men ran, were chased and apprehended by police at Cass and Ottawa streets.

Jason D. Palomino, 28, of 500 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, was booked into the county jail on charges of resisting arrest, reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and aggravated assault. He suffered two puncture wounds to the neck from a stun gun. No one else was injured. The second man, Marcus T. Alexander, 26, of 413 Oneida, was arrested for obstructing a police officer. He was released on a recognizance bond.

Officer injured

JOLIET — A Joliet Police officer was injured early Sunday morning as he attempted to break up a fight outside a business on the 100 block of South Larkin Avenue.

When the officer was called to the scene, he saw a large crowd yelling and trying to enter the business. When he ordered the crowd to disperse, someone came up behind him and struck him in the back. The officer suffered a sore neck and back and contusions to his thumb. The crowd threw beer bottles at other police officers on the scene.

Marcus D. Smith, 29, of 1328 Pequot, was arrested and booked into the county jail on charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest.

Home robbed

JOLIET — Two Joliet men rehabbing a home on the 1000 block of Kelly Avenue told police that sometime between March 12 and Saturday, copper piping was stolen from the home’s kitchen, two bathrooms and basement. When they discovered the theft, they also noticed blood droplets on the floor in the home. The copper piping was valued at $600. Also, $400 worth of drywall was damaged.

Iron fencing stolen

JOLIET — Wrought iron fencing valued at $2,800 was stolen earlier this month from the yard of a home on the 100 block of Union Street. The homeowner, who reported the theft on Saturday, told police her home’s landscaping was being renovated and the fencing was being stored along the side of the house.

Dumpster blaze

JOLIET — Joliet firefighters extinguished a blaze in a dumpster on the 500 block of East Bellarmine Drive. The Saturday afternoon fire did not appear to be suspicious, police said.

Motel fight

JOLIET — A fight outside a motel on the 800 block of McDonough Street led to one person being treated Saturday morning at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. Police said a brother and sister from Joliet went to the motel to retrieve the sister’s car from her boyfriend. A fight ensued and a brick was thrown at the brother, and it hit him in the head. Two suspects, including the boyfriend, are being sought.

In other police news:

Gregory J. Harris: 21, of 2432 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago, was arrested by Will County police and booked into the county jail Friday on a charge of burglary.

Derek J. Grossheider: 19, of 19912 Anna St. in Mokena, was arrested by Mokena police and booked into the county jail Friday on a charge of burglary.

Juan C. Contreras: 19, of 149 Oak St. in New Lenox, was arrested by Will County police and booked into the county jail Friday on charges of driving on a revoked or suspended license and aggravated driving under the influence.

Victoria F. Donnewald: 26, of 2134 Joann Drive in Joliet, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Friday on a charge of retail theft.

Jason S. Conroy: 35, of 949 Armstrong St. in Morris, was arrested by Channahon police and booked into the county jail Saturday on a charge of resisting or obstructing a peace officer and driver/passenger safety belt violation.

Timothy J. Drapeau: 29, of 304 North St. in Mazon, was arrested by Wilmington police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and driving on a revoked or suspended license.

Raul Sanchez: 31, of 2699 Hobson Road in Woodridge, was arrested by state police and booked into the county jail Saturday on a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Shelby T. Simpson: 17, of 12733 Medow Lane in Plainfield, was arrested by Plainfield police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sean P. Quintos: 20, of 1004 Northside Drive in Shorewood, was arrested by Plainfield police and booked into the county jail Saturday on a charge of burglary.

Gregory Munoz: 21, of 1401 Lasser Drive in Plainfield, was arrested by Plainfield police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of burglary and illegal possession of cannabis.

Mjdey Ayyash: 24, of 13051 Buttercup Court, Homer Glen, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Saturday on a charge of theft and control of stolen property.

Alla A. Zayyad: 23, 12561 Anand Brook Drive, Homer Glen, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of theft and control of stolen property.

Jeremy R. Hicks: 30, of 315 N. Washington St., Wilmington, was arrested by Wilmington police and booked into the county jail Saturday on charges of damage to property, unlawful restraint and domestic battery.

Rufus Robert Porter: 32, of 606 Preston Drive, Bolingbrook, was arrested by Bolingbrook police and booked into the county jail Sunday on a charge of aggravated domestic battery.

Jeffrey W. Dean: 20, of 12125 Magnolia Lane, Homer Glen, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Sunday on a charge of burglary.