Prison Buddy was Supposed to Sell Ex-Con Pot, Robbed Him Instead: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet man learned the hard way that a relationship he forged in prison was not based on mutual trust, police said.

The 25-year-old ex-convict had reportedly gone to the Lois Place apartments late Wednesday night to buy marijuana from a man he met while serving time in prison.

That man, 23-year-old Rodney Williams, was on Lois Place like he was supposed to be, police said, and he got into the other ex-con’s car.

While they were sitting together in the car, a third man reportedly appeared at the passenger side window, produced a silver pistol and shouted to Williams, “Rob him!”

Williams took the pistol from the man and did just that, police said, snatching $500 from the prospective marijuana-buyer and exiting the vehicle.

As the robbed man sped off Williams fired at his car, police said, hitting it.

The cops reportedly got little in the way of cooperation from the man who had been held up but still identified Williams as the gunman. They staked out Williams’ home on West Marion Street and pounced when he pulled up in a car.

Williams reportedly ran into a house and the cops surrounded the residence. Williams was taken into custody after he eventually crawled out of a window, police said.

Williams was jailed on charges of armed robbery and the aggravated discharge of a firearm, and for violating his parole.

Williams was released from prison in November, according to Department of Corrections records. He did time for burglary and unlawful restraint.

Williams’ alleged accomplice remains at large.