More than 20 people arrested in Joliet as part of 'Operation Streetsweeper'

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Authorities in Joliet were busy yesterday, putting more than 20 people behind bars for numerous violent crimes.

The 21 arrests come via what’s being called “Operation Streetsweeper” involving Joliet, Will County and federal authorities. Charges range from aggravated battery with a firearm and accidents involving death, to drug possession and retail theft.

Many of the suspects are repeat offenders. The ages of those arrest range from 20 to 71 years old.

Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans says that operation is not over yet, with at least 9 others still at large.

“The goal of this operation was simple: to make Joliet a safer place for our residents and to send a clear message that violent crime and illegal activities will not be tolerated in the city of Joliet.”

He says many of those arrested are repeat offenders, and some incidents are gang related.

“By removing these dangerous individuals from our streets, we are taking significant steps to reduce the risk to our community and restore a sense of security to our neighborhoods.”

The effort comes as crime is down more than 20% in Joliet since 2022.

“However, over the last couple of months, we’ve seen some shootings that have been very disturbing to us.”

The people arrested include:

- Mason Bailey, 22, charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

- D’Amonta Barber, 25, charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

- Demetrious Houston, Jr., 25, charged with unlawful use of a weapon - machine gun, possession of a weapon by a felon, obstructing a peace officer, and fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer.

- Donnell Brown, 20, charged with unlawful use of a weapon - machine gun, and obstructing a peace officer.

- Ricardo Neri Lopez, 30, charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

- Mary Beth Mosqueda, 35, charged with failure to report motor vehicle accident resulting in injury or death

- Johnnie Wallace, 31, charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance.

- Derek Creal, 62, aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

- Gavin Gaddis, 46, charged with burglary, felony retail theft, and possession of a controlled substance.

- Rodolfo Paradez, 29, charged with felony retail theft and criminal trespass to property.

- Steven Cheeks, 50, charged with burglary and felony retail theft.

- Willis Davis, 36, charged with felony retail theft.

- Ryan Scott, 38, charged with possession of methamphetamine.

- Kaprison Holmes, 39, charged with five counts of felony retail theft.

- Leon Williams, 71, charged with felony retail theft.

- Angel Vargas, 23, charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, obstructing justice, fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and felony disorderly conduct.

- Gregory Backstorm, 53, charged with felony retail theft.

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