Joliet teen stole woman’s purse, shot flare gun at her son during chase, police say

JOLIET, Ill. - A teenager allegedly robbed a woman of her purse outside of a bank in Joliet on Monday and shot her son with a flare gun during a subsequent pursuit, according to police.

David Munoz-Ardila, 19, was charged with robbery, Joliet police said.

Officers were called to the 1400 block of West Jefferson Street around 9:42 a.m. for a robbery that had just occurred. They found a group of people holding down Munoz-Ardila.

David Munoz-Ardila, 19, was charged with robbery, Joliet police said.

Investigators found that Munoz-Ardila allegedly approached a 44-year-old woman as she was leaving a Bank of America and grabbed her purse from her arm. He ran away toward a nearby Jewel parking lot.

The victim’s 23-year-old son was with her at the time and pursued Munoz-Ardila. During the chase, the suspect produced a flare gun and fired one flare at the victim’s son, hitting him in the chest. He was not injured.

The victim’s son and other bystanders in the area caught up to Munoz-Ardila in the Jewel parking lot and detained him until officers arrived.

Munoz-Ardila was arrested without further incident.

Officers recovered the flare gun and an additional unused flare. No injuries were reported.