Shots Fired, Joliet Police Make 2 Arrests After Late Night Gunfire In This Part Of Town

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department issued a press release revealing that two young men from the community now face felony charges following late night gunfire taking place on the southeast side of town.

Manuel Cardenas, 20, is charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis. As for Kyle Washington, 19, he was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a controlled substance.

According to Tuesday's Joliet police press release, agency spokesman Dwayne English said that at 11:52 p.m., the officers on patrol near South Chicago Street and Fourth Avenue heard gunshots coming from their east. As they checked out the area, a Hyundai and a Nissan near Fourth Avenue and Winston Avenue sped away at a high rate of speed.

Officers stopped the Hyundai at Fourth Avenue and Grover Street, and the Nissan was stopped by additional officers near Fourth Avenue and Sherman Street. English said that Cardenas was identified as the driver of the Hyundai and Washington was identified as the driver of the Nissan.

While officers were speaking with Cardenas, they saw a handgun in plain view sticking out from under the driver’s seat, English revealed. Cardenas exited the vehicle and was placed into custody without incident. Upon a search of the vehicle, English said the officers recovered the loaded handgun as well as suspected cannabis and alprazolam pills.

During the traffic stop of the Nissan, the vehicle was searched and officers recovered live ammunition, a spent shell casing, and suspected alprazolam. Washington was placed into custody without incident. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

"Both individuals were questioned regarding the shots fired in the area and at this time, this case remains under investigation," English noted.

Both Cardenas and Washington were released from Joliet police station custody and given notices to appear at Will County's Courthouse.