Joliet Police Department

09/07/2026

NEWS RELEASE - SEPTEMBER 7, 2026

JOLIET MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING SHOOTING

(Joliet, Illinois) - On September 6, 2026, at 8:53 a.m., officers responded to an apartment building at 373 Western Avenue for a report of a gunshot victim.

Upon arrival, officers located a 53-year-old man on the first floor of the building who had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers immediately rendered medical assistance until Joliet Fire Department paramedics arrived. Preliminary information indicates that the victim had been shot on the eighth floor before seeking help from another tenant. The victim was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department in critical, but stable condition.

During the investigation, officers learned that the shooting had reportedly occurred on the eighth floor. Upon reaching that floor, officers located Antonio Sims (35, Joliet) with a laceration to his left hand. Sims was identified as a suspect and taken into custody. He was transported to Silver Cross Hospital by the Joliet Fire Department for treatment of his injury that is believed to have occurred during this incident.

Preliminary information indicates that Sims and the victim were known to each other and that the shooting may have occurred during a struggle between the two men. Other circumstances leading to the shooting remain under investigation.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Sims’ apartment in the building. During the search, detectives recovered a loaded 9mm handgun that had previously been reported stolen from Aurora, along with suspected co***ne.

Following his release from medical care, Sims was transported to the Joliet Police Department. After reviewing the case, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of Armed Violence, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, Possession of a Stolen Fi***rm, Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and No Fi***rms Owner Identification Card. Sims was processed and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

This remains an active investigation and additional charges may be considered as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is urged to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigations Division at 815-724-3020. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or submit a tip online at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org.

DISCLAIMER: Arrest records are public information. An arrest does not indicate that the individual(s) identified has been convicted of a crime. Charges are merely an allegation and persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day, Joliet! 🇺🇸

09/06/2026

Tomorrow, September 7, is the annual "Cop's & HotRodder's" benefit for Illinois Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors (ILCOPS) at 3115 W Jefferson Street. ILCOPS provides resources to assist surviving family members & co-workers affected by a line-of-duty deaths, providing emotional support, financial support, & legal assistance to survivors of fallen officers. The Joliet Police NOPT Unit, Joliet Police Pipes & Drums, & Joliet Police Honor Guard will be at the event as well! We hope you can make it out to support a great cause!

Looking for something to do this Labor Day? Come out and join Illinois C.O.P.S., the Joliet Police Department, and the Prison City Kruisers for a day filled with incredible cars, family fun, food, music, and community!

📅 Monday, September 7th
⏰ 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 3115 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL
🚘 Registration opens at 9:00 AM
💵 $20 cash entry fee at the gate

Most importantly, events like this bring our law enforcement families and communities together while supporting the mission of Illinois C.O.P.S. honoring our fallen heroes, supporting their survivors, and ensuring that we NEVER FORGET. 💙
PRISON CITY KRUISERS

09/05/2026

Celebrate Labor Day safely & responsibly this weekend!

•Plan ahead for a sober way home; designate a sober driver, take public transportation, or use a ride-sharing service.
•If you’re with friends or family who intend to drive impaired, take their keys away & make arrangements to get them home safely.
•Always buckle up! It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
•If you see a possible impaired driver on the road, please call Joliet Police or your local law enforcement.

09/04/2026

COMMUNITY REQUEST // The Joliet Police Department is requesting residents in & around the 100-200 block of Adella Ave to check video surveillance footage for a burglary suspect & vehicle on September 1, 2026, between 1:00PM - 3:00PM. The requested video is for:

✅ A white pickup truck
✅ A male with dark hair wearing jeans and a black t-shirt
✅ A male with dark hair wearing jeans and no shirt

If you have footage showing the above criteria, please submit the files online to https://jolietpdil.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/12292, or contact Detective Wolski at 815-724-3036.

09/04/2026

The Joliet Police Department recognizes the significant trust our community places in our personnel and the technology used to carry out our public safety responsibilities. Maintaining that trust requires these resources to be used lawfully, appropriately, and only for authorized purposes.

Two members of the Joliet Police Department, a sworn officer and a public safety dispatcher, have been placed on paid administrative leave following discovery of alleged misuse of Flock Safety technology. Upon this discovery, the department took administrative action and referred the matter to the City of Joliet Inspector General for investigation. The matter was also referred to the Illinois State Police for their independent review.

We understand the public and media interest in this matter. While the investigation remains ongoing, the department will limit further comment as appropriate to protect the integrity of the investigative process.

The Joliet Police Department recognizes the seriousness of these allegations, and we continue to review and strengthen policies governing the use of this technology and will enact department-wide audits to reinforce appropriate use and accountability. These efforts reflect our continued commitment to responsible policing, transparency, and maintaining the trust of the community we serve.

09/04/2026

TRAFFIC ADVISORY - Team Take Off Car Show

On Saturday, September 5, 2026, the Team Take Off Car Show will be taking place at and near the City Square in downtown Joliet from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be street closures & detours, as noted below. The road closures will remain in effect from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Please plan ahead for any detours or traffic disruptions.

🚫Chicago Street between Jefferson Street and Clinton Street

🚫Van Buren street between Chicago Street and Parking Lot Entrance

City of Joliet, Illinois, Government | City of Joliet Special Events | Joliet City Center Partnership | Joliet Fire Department

09/04/2026

Going away for the Labor Day weekend? Take some simple steps to help reduce burglary risk:

•Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home
•LOCK your doors
•Put exterior/interior lights on timers to give the impression that you're home
•Don't post photos on social media until you've returned home

09/03/2026

Congratulations are in order to the new Police Chief of the Joliet Police Department, Robert Brown! Chief Brown was sworn-in during a ceremony held this afternoon. Chief Brown has 29 years of law enforcement experience, with the last 26 years here at the Joliet Police Department, most recently serving as the Interim Chief of Police! Congratulations to Chief Brown! City of Joliet, Illinois, Government

09/02/2026

TRAFFIC ADVISORY - CHICAGO STREET & INTERSTATE 80 INTERCHANGE

I-80 Will & Illinois Department of Transportation have advised that starting September 8, all ramps at the I-80 & Chicago St interchange will close, except the eastbound I-80 exit to Chicago St, for continuing work on the Des Plaines River Bridge.

⚠️Traffic will be detoured to the Larkin Ave and Richards St interchanges through Fall 2028. This will affect local Joliet area traffic.

City of Joliet, Illinois, Government | Joliet Fire Department