Joliet Police Arrest Man With Knife After Tony's Fresh Market Employees Say He Brandished Weapon During Theft
Lester Gaines, 56, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and retail theft after police say he brandished a knife at Tony's Fresh Market employees in Joliet.
Armed robbery suspect taken into custody at busy Joliet intersection
Lester Gaines, 56, was arrested last weekend after police say he brandished a knife at employees inside a Tony's Fresh Market in Joliet and fled with a shopping cart full of unpaid merchandise.
The incident unfolded at 9:47 p.m. on Friday at the Tony's Fresh Market located at 1801 West Jefferson Street, near the corner of Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue.
Officers responded after receiving reports of a retail theft involving a suspect armed with a knife, according to Joliet Police Department spokesman Dwayne English.
"During the investigation, officers recovered the knife believed to have been used during the incident," English announced.
Police say Gaines attempted to leave the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise without paying. When an employee confronted him, Gaines allegedly displayed a green folding knife in a threatening manner before fleeing the business with the stolen items, English explained.
Joliet police spotted Gaines nearby and identified him as homeless. He was taken into custody without incident.
Gaines faces three felony charges:
- Aggravated assault
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Retail theft
He was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a notice to appear in court, English said.
A rare armed incident at a neighborhood staple
Tony's Fresh Market is a familiar fixture in Joliet, with multiple locations across the city. Armed confrontations inside the stores are uncommon, making this incident stand out for both employees and shoppers.
Police did not disclose the value of the stolen merchandise. No employees were injured during the encounter.
This is the latest in a series of recent arrests in Joliet. Over the past week, Joliet police also arrested a Midlothian man who made multiple 911 calls threatening to kill and shoot people near Union Station, and another man following an incident on John Street early Monday morning.