Woman-Beating Mugger Nabbed During Traffic Stop: Cops

A Joliet man wanted for mugging a young woman he had followed from an east side gas station was apprehended during a traffic stop Friday night, police said.

Kasim Baker, 28, was arrested near the corner of Joliet and Marion streets, just down the road from the Will County jail, where he ended up a few hours later.

Baker followed a 22-year-old woman from the BP Amoco at McDonough and Chicago streets the night of Aug. 3, police said. Baker reportedly asked to use her cell phone. She refused him and stepped away. Baker then allegedly chased her down, tackled her to the ground and punched her a few times.

Baker grabbed the woman’s phone and purse and ran off, police said.

Baker was identified by surveillance video from the BP Amoco, police said. He reportedly had been in the gas station at the same time as the young woman.

Baker remains in custody at the county jail. His bond was set at $100,000.