JOLIET, Ill. — A Joliet man is facing multiple charges after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle that ended in a crash and temporary school lockdowns.
Raymond D. Martinez, 33, was arrested Thursday and booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on charges including aggravated fleeing and eluding police, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to Joliet police. He was also wanted on a Will County warrant for failure to appear in a pending domestic battery case.
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. when officers spotted a silver Mazda reported stolen out of Chicago earlier that day near Black Road and Illinois Route 59.
Martinez fled north on River Road at high speed after a Shorewood officer attempted a traffic stop, disregarding traffic signals, police said. Officers called off the pursuit due to safety concerns.
Shortly after, Martinez attempted a right turn and crashed into another vehicle on Theodore Street, causing minor injuries to the other driver. He then fled the crash site on foot.
Martinez was captured a short time later in the 1700 block of Hidden Oaks Court. A 21-year-old passenger in the stolen Mazda was treated for minor injuries and released without charges.
Due to the police activity, William B. Orenic Intermediate School and Wesmere Elementary School were placed on a brief precautionary soft lockdown for approximately nine minutes.
Martinez was hospitalized for minor injuries before being processed and transferred to jail.
