Joliet Paramedic Punched In Face By Vagrant From Train Station: JPD

JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department has arrested a 43-year-old homeless man, Joseph McRoberts, on charges of aggravated battery following an incident last week in downtown Joliet at the train station and then inside of a Joliet Fire Department ambulance.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the following sequence of events led to McRoberts being arrested:

On January 14, 2025, at 10:34 p.m., the officers responded to the Gateway Center at 90 East Jefferson Street for a disturbance.

The officers located McRoberts on the ground and he was intoxicated.

McRoberts indicated to the officers he wished to end his life. Officers then called for a Joliet Fire Department ambulance to bring McRoberts to St Joseph Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation. A short time later, the officers were notified that McRoberts had allegedly punched a paramedic in the face during the transport.

The ambulance had stopped near South Chicago Street and Fourth Avenue and the officers placed McRoberts into custody and assisted in escorting the ambulance to the hospital.

McRoberts was later admitted to the hospital.

On January 22, at 12:54 p.m., the officers picked up McRoberts from a mental health facility in Maywood and he was transported to the Joliet Police Department where he was processed and released on a notice to appear in court.