Joliet Cop Attacked At Driver's License Facility, Arrest Made: JPD

JOLIET — You don't see the Joliet Police Department making very many arrests inside the Illinois Secretary of State driver's license facility near Jefferson Street, but that happened last week, resulting in the capture of 21-year-old Diamond resident Arreon Newell.

He's being charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, resisting a peace officer and disorderly conduct.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, Thursday's arrest happened around 5:14 p.m., after Joliet police responded to the Illinois Secretary of State driver’s license facility at 201 Joyce Road for a disturbance.

Newell was a customer at the building, English said, and he became irate toward the state of Illinois employees over a discrepancy with his identification card.

Police said Newell began yelling profanities and threatened physical harm toward employees and a security guard.

When Joliet police tried to speak with Newell, he continued to act belligerent and refused numerous requests to leave the building, according to English.

The officer tried to escort Newell away from the building, and Newell grabbed the officer's arm, prompting the officer to take Newell to the ground, trying to handcuff him. During the struggle, Newell rose back to his feet and struck the officer in the shoulder and back, according to police.

Newell was taken to the ground a second time, and this time, authorities said, he kicked the Joliet police officer in the leg during the struggle as Newell continued to resist the officer’s attempts to handcuff him.

Additional officers arrived and Newell was placed into custody without further incident, according to English.

Newell was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department for a medical evaluation. Newell was released from the hospital a short time later and was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a Notice to Appear.

Will County Jail logs indicate Newell has been in county detention four different times in 2022 and 2023. His most recent incarceration took place in December after Elwood police locked him up on a temporary hold for Grundy County authorities.