2 Joliet Women Captured After Fleeing Police During Narcotics Investigation: Police

JOLIET, IL ? Two women from the Joliet community were arrested by Joliet police officers following a recent police chase that was called off due to safety concerns. Eventually, the police captured 50-year-old Kristen L. Urquiza and booked her into the Will County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, resisting a police officer, and possession with intent to manufacture/deliver a controlled substance.

She was also arrested on a Will County arrest warrant for failure to appear on a pending court case for possession of a controlled substance. Her acquaintance, Samantha Jo Bravato, 31, was also booked into the Will County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance, along with two Will County arrest warrants for failure to appear in pending court cases for aggravated battery to a police officer.

According to this week's Joliet police spokesman, Tizoc Landeros, at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 23, Joliet tactical officers were on patrol near Onieda Street and Center Street when they spotted a red Nissan driven by Urquiza, with Bravato in the front passenger seat.

When officers attempted a traffic stop, Urquiza fled, committing multiple traffic violations, including disregarding traffic signs and signals, Landeros said. Due to safety concerns, officers deactivated their emergency lights and sirens and terminated the pursuit.

Later that evening, at approximately 10:30 p.m., officers found the Nissan used in the earlier incident. Surveillance was conducted, and shortly after, two women matching the descriptions of Urquiza and Bravato entered an SUV, police said. Officers conducted a stop on the SUV, and both Urquiza and Bravato were taken into custody. The driver of the SUV was also arrested, but later released without charges.

While being escorted to a police vehicle, Urquiza began resisting officers by pulling away, Landeros said. According to police, narcotics were located inside the SUV in the area where Urquiza had been sitting. A search of Bravato also revealed she was in possession of narcotics, police said.

During the booking process, police say both women complained of difficulty breathing and were transported to a local hospital by ambulance. Once medically cleared, they were returned to the booking area, processed, and subsequently transported to the county jail without further incident, Landeros said.