Joliet police arrest 21 in 'Operation Streetsweeper,' targeting guns, drugs, and burglary
JOLIET, Ill. - Joliet police have arrested 21 people as part of "Operation Streetsweeper," a targeted effort focused on suspects involved in weapons, drugs, burglary, and theft offenses.
The operation, which began Wednesday, involved collaboration between Joliet police and various local and federal agencies.
"By removing these dangerous individuals from our street, we are taking significant steps to reduce the risk to our community," said Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans.
Chief Evans said that while overall shootings in Joliet have decreased by 27 percent over the last two years, the summer has seen a recent increase in violent incidents, prompting the operation.
Authorities aimed to apprehend repeat offenders and those connected to recent crimes.
"We know where some of these people are. We know we can gain warrants on them. This would be a really good time to execute some of these warrants," Evans said, explaining the timing of the operation.
On the first day, 21 arrests were made, including two suspects, Demetrious Houston Jr. and Donnell Brown, who were allegedly found carrying automatic Glock firearms. Police recovered two more weapons during the operation.
"Those automatic locks would still be out there on the street if it weren't for the bravery of the Joliet Police Department executing this, along with our federal authorities," said Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow. "If that, that was the only thing we accomplished here because of the shootings we've had lately, that's huge."
The chief has this message for criminals in his town.
"If you choose to engage in illegal activity and threaten the safety of our residents, know this. You'll be located, you'll be arrested, and you will be held accountable," said Chief Evans.
According to Glasgow, only three of the suspects charged were not eligible for detention under the SAFE-T Act, which governs bail reform in Illinois. Additional arrests are expected as the operation continues.