Another Murder In Joliet Township Solved: Sheriff

JOLIET — The Will County Sheriff's Office has solved another murder, announcing on Tuesday morning that they have taken 19-year-old South Chicago Street resident Landen Brown into custody on first-degree murder charges. On July 24, Brown pointed his gun at Plainfield resident Jayden Valazquez-Garcia, also 19, and then shot him in Joliet's unincorporated east side near Luana Road and Girard Boulevard, sheriff's officials said.

After being shot inside his vehicle, the Plainfield teen tried driving down the street, where sheriff's deputies found him lying on the ground, dying from his gunshot.

The East Joliet Fire Department ambulance took the critically injured Valazquez to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Sheriff's officials said that after killing the Plainfield teen, Brown went into hiding, heading across state lines to Gary, Indiana. Will County obtained a warrant for Brown's on arrest on first-degree murder charges, armed robbery and weapons charges on July 26.

Four days ago, Will County learned exactly where Brown may be staying in Gary, so police set up surveillance along East 21st Avenue in Gary.

"While on surveillance, members of the task force positively identified Landen Brown exiting the residence and re-entering it," Will County announced on Facebook.

For now, Brown remains in custody at the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

"Landen Brown made numerous incriminating statements to detectives regarding his involvement in these crimes," Will County proclaimed. Sheriff's officials say that Brown killed Valazquez during an armed robbery.