Pepper Spray Deployed By Joliet Police On Repeat Offender: JPD

JOLIET — Shaun Matheny, the 41-year-old homeless man in Joliet who has been the subject of multiple arrests by the Joliet police in recent years, was sprayed with pepper spray during a weekend arrest after the Joliet Police Department's use of a Taser did not have the desired effect, the agency's arrest logs show.

Matheny was later released on a notice to appear at the Will County Courthouse on the charges of aggravated assault to a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the latest arrest of Matheny took place around 10:45 p.m. on Sunday

According to English, an officer on patrol in the 200 block of Collins Street saw Matheny standing in front of an uninvolved vehicle in the roadway, with his arms raised in the air.

Matheny was advised to leave the roadway, to which he refused. The officer stopped his squad car and walked Matheny to the sidewalk. It appeared that Matheny was intoxicated, English said.

From there, police said Matheny began walking westbound from the area, ignoring numerous commands to stop by the officer. The officer caught up to Matheny, who was aggressive and clinching his fists while yelling at the officer, and refused to submit to arrest.

A Taser was deployed but was ineffective and Matheny continued to run from the officer, according to police.

Officers caught up to Matheny in the 200 block of Herkimer Street. Pepper spray was deployed, and Matheny was taken into custody by arriving officers. Matheny also received a citation for intoxicated pedestrian walking on roadway.

Related Joliet Patch coverage of Shaun Matheny:

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