Handcuffed Felon Drops His Loaded Gun, Ingests Drugs: Joliet Police

JOLIET — A 37-year-old Joliet defendant from Mississippi Avenue is back in the Will County Jail following this week's foot chase. Joliet police say Jerry Bass Jr. was taken to the jail on charges of armed habitual criminal, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, attempted escape, obstructing a peace officer and for having a Will County warrant.

On Monday evening, before the sun went down, Joliet police saw a Dodge Charger that was reported stolen out of Chicago, near Mississippi Avenue and Second Avenue.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, the following events led to Bass' ultimate capture:

The Dodge Charger was parking behind a residence in the 0-50 block of Mississippi Avenue, which is where Bass resides. Around 6:35 p.m., Joliet police pulled over the vehicle and as they approached the Dodge Charger, Bass ran from it while holding an item in his waistband.

Officers chased after Bass on foot and caught up to him in the 0-50 block of Union Street. An officer stood by with Bass, who was seated on a curb in handcuffs, while other officers conducted a search of the area.

At that moment, Bass quickly stood up and tried to flee while in handcuffs, but he was quickly captured. Bass also faced a Will County arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on previous weapons charges.

Officers recovered a loaded handgun and the key fob to the Dodge Charger on the ground along the area where Bass was seen running from the Joliet police, English said.

Once he was taken into custody, Bass indicated he had ingested narcotics prior to the arrest. A Joliet Fire Department ambulance was called to the scene and Bass was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center. Bass was released from the hospital in the early morning hours of April 23 and taken to the Will County Jail where he remains.