Gunfire At Cuddy's Parking Lot: Joliet Man, 25, Arrested

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police officers arrested 25-year-old Jereme Foster in connection with Monday night's shooting in the parking lot of the Cuddy's Deli near the busy intersection of Western Avenue and North Hickory Street. Nobody was struck by the gunfire, but the person Foster was shooting at returned gunfire and struck Foster's vehicle, Joliet police said.

According to Joliet police, Foster was arrested Monday night on charges of aggravated discharge of a gun, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon and aggravated fleeing/eluding a peace officer.

At 7:01 p.m., Foster began firing his gun as he was seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked at the Cuddy's store, Joliet police said. There was a Joliet officer stopped at the traffic light near the convenience store who saw the incident unfold, police reports show.

"Foster was observed speaking to a person outside of the vehicle at which time Foster then produced a handgun and began firing at this other subject," Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English stated. "Foster then fled in the vehicle westbound on Western Avenue."

The person Foster was trying to shoot was not hit by the bullets, police said. However, that person returned gunfire, striking Foster's vehicle.

The Joliet officers in the area chased after Foster's car, "but he refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. Foster then pulled over in the 600 block of Glenwood Avenue and was taken into custody without further incident," police reports show.

While Foster was fleeing the Joliet police, he tossed his gun out his passenger's window, police said.

The gun was later found near Wilcox and Glenwood Avenues, police said. Police say they were unable to locate the other person involved in the gunfire exchange.

Foster was booked into the Will County Jail around 9 p.m. Monday. His bail has been set at $130,000. Foster lives on Joliet's west side, in the 2200 block of Oneida Avenue.