ID Thief Hides Near Backyard Hot Tub Off Bronk Road: Joliet PD

JOLIET — For the second time this year, Joliet police have captured 42-year-old Patrick Conroyd, a homeless man from Beecher, and this week's arrest involved the assistance of a police dog and Will County Sheriff's deputies after authorities say Conroyd was hiding in a subdivision near Bronk Road and Black Road.

As a result of his overnight capture, Conroyd was arrested on new charges of obstructing a peace officer, but because Conroyd had outstanding Will County warrants out for his arrest, he was booked into the Will County Jail and that's where he remained as of Friday.

Back in January, Conroyd was the subject of a Joliet Patch story headlined: "7 Charges, JPD Vest Ripped By This Repeat Criminal: Cops."

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 1:10 a.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the area of Riverside Drive and Honeywood Court for a suspicious person who appeared to be walking through residential yards.

The officers brought along a police dog to search the area for the elusive person.

The K9 located a man, later identified as Conroyd, hiding near a hot tub in a backyard.

Conroyd then ran from the Joliet police, ignoring commands to stop, but he was quickly located and placed into custody with the assistance of Deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

It was determined Conroyd held an active Will County warrant for failing to appear in court on previous identity theft charges, according to English.

In January, Joliet Patch reported that officers responded to the 1300 block of Oneida Street for a suspicious man looking into vehicles.

In that case, Joliet police said, officers caught up to the man, Conroyd, at the Walgreens at 1163 West Jefferson Street. When Conroyd tried to push past an officer and enter the Walgreens, the officer attempted to place Conroyd into custody, however Conroyd repeatedly pulling his arms away.

During the struggle, Conroyd ripped the officer’s vest carrier. More officers arrived and Conroyd was placed into custody without further incident. Conroyd then remained in the Will County Jail from Jan. 6 until March 13, jail logs from that case show.