Ex-Joliet Murder Defendant 'Slim' Captured After Running Off: JPD

JOLIET — It's been nine years since Lockport's Lonnie "Slim" Pinnick was one of several people arrested by Joliet police in connection with a 2015 slaying on Englewood Avenue. Now 33 years old, Pinnick's freedom is in jeopardy after Joliet police say he tried to outrun officers on Friday night, resulting in his capture, arrest logs show.

As a result of the incident, Pinnick is back in the Will County Jail, this time facing charges of being an armed habitual criminal, armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, possession of a controlled substance and obstructing a peace officer.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English at 7:50 p.m. Friday, officers stopped a Dodge Charger for a window tint violation in the parking lot of Stang Kelly Liquor at 712 West Jefferson Street.

According to English, during the traffic stop, the front seat passenger of the vehicle, Pinnick, ran from the vehicle while carrying a cross-body style bag.

Officers chased after Pinnick and eventually caught up to him near West Jefferson Street and North Raynor Avenue and placed him into custody without further incident.

At the time of the arrest, the officers noted that Pinnick no longer had his cross-body bag.

English said officers searched the area in which the foot pursuit took place and located the same bag near a residence in the 700 block of John Street.

After searching Pinnick's cross-body bag, Joliet police say they recovered a loaded handgun, cocaine and heroin.

The driver of the Dodge Charger was released at the scene with a warning citation.

In 2017, Lonnie Pinnick had his murder charges dropped by Will County's prosecutors. According to Will County prosecutors, Pinnick's criminal history includes an eight-year prison term at the Department of Corrections for armed habitual criminal, five years at the Department of Corrections for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, two years at the Department of Corrections for aggravated battery at a public place and manufacture/delivery of controlled substances resulting in three years of special probation.