By Brian Stanley
For the Bugle
Joliet Police were kept busy with several unrelated, though serious incidents over the Fourth of July holiday.
The first occurred about 6:05 a.m. July 3 when officers were called to a public housing complex at 358 North Broadway where Joshua C. Shelton, 30, was banging on the door of an apartment and trying to retrieve his belongings from a resident, reports said.
Security guards responded but when the door opened again, Shelton allegedly pushed past them towards the woman inside.
“A struggle ensued and at one point Shelton grabbed a knife and cut a security officer in the elbow,” police said.
The security officer was treated by paramedics at the scene and Shelton, of the 200 block of Illinois Street, was arrested and booked into the Will County jail on charges of aggravated battery, criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.
At 12:07 p.m. July 4, a man called police to the 500 block of North Chicago Street claiming he was attacked by a man with a socket wrench.
The victim said Matthew H. Rice, 36, believed he had stolen marijuana from Rice and an argument ensued, police said.
“At one point during the argument, Riced took a socket wrench and struck the windshield of the victim’s vehicle, causing damage. Rice then struck the victim on the arms and head with the socket wrench,” police said.
The victim was treated on the scene by Joliet Fire paramedics. About 6 p.m. police were informed Rice had come to Saint Joseph Medical Center seeking treatment for a cut to his hand. Police believe Rice received the injury during the beating.
Rice, of the 200 block of North Canyon Drive in Bolingbrook, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.
About 12:25 a.m. July 5 police were called to a domestic disturbance in the 900 block of Gael Drive. While officers were en route, 911 dispatchers reportedly heard shots being fired.
Several people came out while police surrounded the house, but John H. Howard, 41, refused to come out, according to reports.
Howard began speaking with officers through an open window and initially denied anyone else was inside but later allowed some children to leave, police said.
During the standoff, Howard stepped out of the house several times “either holding a corn on the cob or a plant as if they were weapons and pointed it at officers telling the officers to shoot him,” police said.
The next time Howard stepped outside, one officer used his taser to incapacitate him.
Police reportedly found a loaded gun and ammunition inside the house along with spent shell casings and bullets.
“Officers were able to determine that Howard initially became upset over an argument about fireworks,” police said.
Howard was treated at the hospital before being arrested and booked into the county jail on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and obstructing a police officer.
- Police say a Naperville man wrecked a fire hydrant before exposing himself to bystanders.
Phillip D. Kruse, 41, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, assault and disorderly conduct following the July 3 incident.
Sgt. Chris Botzum said Kruse was driving a red BMW when he struck the hydrant at 8:47 p.m. at Cumberland and Bitterroot drives.
“Kruse got out of his vehicle with a bottle of alcohol in his hand and began to walk away,” police said.
When witnesses told Kruse to remain at the scene, he reportedly yelled at them and began to approach them “in an aggressive manner.” Kruse then threw his car keys at the witnesses, began to walk away again then “turned around and exposed himself,” police said.
Kruse then reportedly ran from the scene, but was found by police in a backyard of the 1700 block of Mystic Drive – about a block away. Kruse allegedly failed some parts of his field sobriety tests and refused to take others.
Kruse, of the 300 block of Tanoak Lane, was booked into the Will County jail and also received several traffic citations.