Homeless Man Arrested At 7-Eleven On Cass Street: Cops

JOLIET, IL — For the third time in a month, Joliet police have arrested the 57-year-old homeless man from Chicago who had been living at the shuttered Church's Chicken restaurant. The latest arrest of Herbert Brooks took place at the 7-Eleven store at 1601 East Cass St.

Joliet police arrested Brooks on charges of criminal trespass to property and criminal damage to property. The arrest occurred Friday afternoon.

According to police, Brooks was inside the 7-Eleven "destroying items in the store and refusing to leave ... it was determined that Brooks had damaged over $200 worth of store product while becoming irate inside of the store and refusing to leave when told by staff."

Joliet police say Brooks was arrested without causing any problems. He was later released from custody on an I-bond.

Brooks' two previous arrests occurred near the Church's Chicken along Collins and Jackson Streets. Both of those arrests have led to pending criminal charges of public indecency.

Brooks is no longer allowed to live outside the Church's restaurant property. City of Joliet's Public Works Division visited the property about a week ago and removed Brooks' mess. Since being kicked out of Church's, Brooks has relocated more than a mile away, and he has been staying on a public park bench near the corner of Cass and Briggs Streets, close to the 7-Eleven store.