Joliet's Most Wanted: Police Say Man Stole $45,000 In Decorations

JOLIET — Efforts by the city of Joliet and the Joliet Slammers to turn Slammer Stadium into the GLOW Holiday Festival are off to a rocky start as the Joliet Police Department is trying to capture 52-year-old Victor Sessoms on felony theft charges.

The Joliet Police Department announced over the weekend that Sessoms was identified by the detectives as the prime suspect responsible to stealing Christmas reindeer decorations valued at $45,000 from the loading dock of Duly Health & Care Field in Joliet. The crimes happened during the late night and early morning hours of Nov. 11 and 12.

"It was determined that Sessoms had scrapped the Christmas decorations for money following the theft," Joliet police announced.

Will County prosecutors have charged Sessoms with one count of felony theft, accusing him of stealing Christmas decorations from the Joliet Slammers and the value of the property exceeded $10,000.

Anyone with information leading to the arrest of Victor Sessoms is encouraged to contact Detective Jansma at the Joliet Police Department by calling (815)724-3028. Citizens can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or online if they wish to remain anonymous.

A warrant issued for Sessoms' arrest indicates he lives in the 2200 block of Joliet's East Washington Street. Will County Judge Art Smigielski has ordered Sessoms "to be released on his own recognizance."

Despite the high value crime, the GLOW Festival is still set to begin this week.

GLOW will be open on select evenings from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 5. Joliet Patch previously reported that the must-see holiday festival, which originated in St. Paul, Minnesota at the Slammers’s sister stadium CHS Field, will extend its tradition of giving back.

One dollar from every festival ticket purchased locally will benefit charities in the Joliet and Chicagoland area. Since opening in Minnesota in 2020, GLOW has donated over $350,000 to nonprofit organizations.