Joliet Robber Snatches Victim's Purse At Bank On Jefferson: Police

JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department announced the arrest of 19-year-old North Hickory Street resident David Munoz Ardila in connection with a purse snatching crime at the Bank of America on West Jefferson Street. Munoz committed his crime during broad daylight, and he shot the victim in the chest with his flare gun, Joliet police announced.

Munoz is now being kept in the Will County Jail on charges of robbery.

Joliet Police spokesman Dwayne English provided the following narrative in connection with Monday morning's robbery:

At 9:42 a.m., the officers responded to the 1400 block of West Jefferson Street for a robbery that just occurred. The officers saw a group of bystanders holding down a male who was later identified as Munoz-Ardila.

Officers learned that Munoz-Ardila had allegedly robbed a woman of her purse outside of Bank of America at 1550 West Jefferson Street, and he was pursued by the victim’s son.

The officers determined that as a 44-year-old woman was leaving the Bank of America, Munoz-Ardila approached her and grabbed her purse from her arm.

Once obtaining the purse, Munoz-Ardila ran from the area toward a Jewel parking lot in the 1400 block of West Jefferson Street. The victim’s 23-year-old son was with her at the time of the robbery, and he chased after Munoz-Ardila.

During the chase, Munoz-Ardila produced a flare gun and fired one flare at the victim’s son, striking him in the chest, but causing no injury.

The victim’s son and other bystanders in the area caught up to Munoz-Ardila in the Jewel parking lot and detained him until the arrival of Officers. Munoz-Ardila was placed into custody without further incident. Officers recovered the flare gun and an additional unfired flare. The purse and all of its contents were recovered and returned to the victim. No injuries were reported.

English said the victim's son did not wish to pursue additional criminal charges against Munoz in connection with being shot by the flare gun.

The Will County Jail records identify the criminal defendant by the name of David Munoz.