VASA Fitness Parking Lot Incident With Wrench: Joliet Police Arrest 1

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police say a minor crash inside the Vasa Fitness parking lot has resulted in two aggravated assault charges for 46-year-old resident Raul Arias, who is accused of grabbing a wrench and threatening violence toward two people, even trying to run them over, according to the arrest reports. By Sunday night, Arias was released from custody and given his notice to appear in court under the SAFE-T-Act.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, officers responded to the parking lot of Vasa Fitness at 1590 North Larkin Avenue around 10:30 a.m. Sunday for a disturbance. Officers learned that on March 22, following a minor crash between the victim and Arias’ vehicle in the parking lot, Arias confronted the victim and demanded that the incident be handled without law enforcement involvement.

At this time, according to police, it was agreed upon that the victim would give Arias a television as collateral to later pay cash for the accident.

The television was later exchanged between the two at the victim’s house.

On Sunday morning, Arias met with the victim and two other family members at the Vasa Fitness parking lot to exchange cash for the television.

An argument ensued during this interaction, and Arias made threats to physically harm the victim and his son, according to English.

"It is believed that Arias retrieved a wrench from his vehicle and threatened the victims with it. Arias then entered his vehicle and accelerated the vehicle in reverse toward the victims," English announced.

Arias was placed into custody later on Sunday night at 7:14 p.m., after coming to the Joliet Police Department to meet with the officers. A mugshot for Arias was not available.