Housebreaker Hurled Woman to Ground, Demanded Money: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet man broke into a Jessie Street home, hurled a woman to the ground and demanded money before he was chased off, police said.

Michael Ruiz, 38, was later captured after the cops spotted his getaway car on the street where he lives, police said.

Ruiz allegedly broke into the house Sunday. After he threw the woman down, she grabbed her phone and tried to call 911, police said, but he snatched the cell away and broke it.

Two other men in the house heard the woman calling for help and showed up in time to see Ruiz and another man escaping in a green Ford Escort, police said.

The men were able to provide police with the car’s license plate and Joliet police officers reportedly located the vehicle near Ruiz’s home on Arizona Avenue.

The second man seen fleeing the house was still with Ruiz but county deputies determined he was not involved with the crime, police said.

Ruiz was arrested and taken to the Will County jail. He was scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.