Police: Gang members beat man
JOLIET -- Police say a man was beaten by three rival gang members early Thursday.
Around 1 a.m., officers found the victim "beaten and unconscious" in the parking lot of La Alameda Restaurant, 231 Ruby St. The 40-year-old Joliet resident was taken to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center where he was treated for injuries to his head and face.
Police said the beating appears to be gang-related and described the victim as uncooperative.
East Joliet fire Chief Robert Scholtes said the fire was reported around 1 a.m. at a single-family home in the 100 block of Independence Avenue. Residents escaped without injury.
The Lockport Township, Homer Township, Rockdale and Manhattan Fire Departments assisted East Joliet firefighters in battling the blaze.
Around 11:20 p.m., officers were called to Juniper and Fairmont avenues after receiving calls of "a large crowd causing a disturbance," according to Chief Fred Hayes.
The group fled as police arrived, and an officer saw a man run inside a nearby house.
"The officer approached the house and watched through the window as the man took a handgun from the waistband of his pants and placed it behind a washer and dryer," Hayes said.
After the man gave police consent to search the residence, officers allegedly found a loaded 9 mm handgun in the laundry area.
Mark A. Thomas , 24, of 400 Nobes Ave. in Lockport, was booked into the county jail on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
The bar at 2727 W. Jefferson St. faces charges it violated city liquor codes on indecent exposure and sexually oriented entertainment when a male dancer allegedly performed in chaps and a G-string in April. One of the bar's owners has said the performance was meant to be a comedy act.
• A brick thrown through a window gave burglars access to a motor vehicle Wednesday in the 800 block of North Bluff Street in Joliet.
• Jose M. Quintero , 19, of 200 Harwood Drive in Bolingbrook, was arrested by Bolingbrook police and booked into the county jail Friday on a charge of burglary.
• Eddie L. Moffett , 25, of 512 S. Des Plaines St. in Joliet, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Friday on charges of possession of cannabis and criminal trespassing.
• Tina N. Granger , 18, of 1252 Brendan Drive in Morris, was arrested by state police and booked into the county jail Friday on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
• Lawrence J. Booth , 24, of 5236 Temple St. in Oak Forest, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Friday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis.
• Michael J. Salka , 27, of 2118 E. 217th Place in Sauk Village, was arrested by sheriff's police and booked into the county jail Saturday on a charge of driving on a revoked or suspended license.
• Robert J. Hodges , 42, homeless according to jail records, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Sunday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Jesus E. Garcia , 24, of 1725 Oakley Ave. in Lansing, was arrested by state police and booked into the county jail Sunday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a valid license.
• Christopher J. Muren , 25, of 308 Garden Terrace in Shorewood, was arrested by Joliet police and booked into the county jail Sunday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Darius M. Butler , 20, of 202 Beaconridge Drive in Bolingbrook, was arrested by Bolingbrook police and booked into the county jail Sunday on charges of domestic battery, driving on a revoked or suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
• Jamie E. Kremm , 21, of 205 MacIntyre Drive in Lockport, was arrested by Lockport police and booked into the county jail Monday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of alcohol.