Man Body-Checked Himself Against Joliet Home, Woman Fetches Her Gun, Calls 911: Police

JOLIET, IL — Less than two weeks after a woman in the Plainfield area of Joliet fatally shot a career criminal during a Friday night home invasion, a similar encounter almost happened this week before sunrise on Wheeler Avenue. In the latest case, the homeowner retrieved her gun but did not use it. Instead, the Joliet police arrived and captured 58-year-old Romeoville resident John Hood.

Hood was arrested and given his notice to appear in Will County court on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

According to Joliet police spokesman Tizoc Landeros, at approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday, Joliet police officers were sent to the 100 block of Wheeler Avenue because a man was trying to force entry into someone's residence.

The home was occupied at the time by a 48-year-old woman and her 22-year-old daughter.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, Hood, sitting on the front steps. Landeros said that Hood gave officers several inconsistent explanations for his presence. The victim reported she was awakened by someone “body checking” the door and attempting to turn the doorknob, which led her to believe someone was trying to break into the home. She retrieved her gun and called 911.

Landeros said the gun was secured once his fellow officers arrived. Both victims advised officers that they did not know Hood. Landeros noted that Hood was unable to provide a valid explanation for his actions and was taken into custody. He was transported to the Joliet Police Department for booking, processed, and released on a Notice to Appear without further incident.

Back on Aug. 16, Joliet Patch reported that a man who previously served prison time for burglary was dead after police said he was fatally shot while breaking into a Joliet home the previous night.

According to Joliet police, officers responded to a residence in the 7000 block of Hadrian Drive around 10:30 p.m. after receiving a call about a home invasion. When officers arrived at the home, they found signs of forced entry into the residence.

Officers entered the home and found an unresponsive man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, police said. The man, identified by the Will County Coroner's Office as Shelby Hurd of Chicago, was pronounced dead at the scene.