Collins Street Armed Robbery: Glasgow Seeks The Car

JOLIET, IL — A new forfeiture complaint at the Will County Courthouse indicates that a first-year Joliet police officer and an off-duty officer had important roles in solving an Oct. 14 armed robbery inside the Metro PCS store in the 600 block of Collins Street. Two days later, Joliet police arrested 35-year-old Daniel Diaz on charges of armed robbery.

Now, the Will County State's Attorney's Office has filed a civil forfeiture complaint asking a judge to let authorities keep the 2004 model Pontiac Grand Prix that belongs to Daniel Diaz and another member of his family.

On Oct. 14, the Metro PCS on Collins Street was robbed, and first-year officer Shanil Hopson went to the store to interview the victim. The employee noticed a man driving an older, four-door older car who kept circling in front of the store as if he was observing the store's hours. The man came inside and asked for help regarding his Alcatel 3V cell phone, the complaint states.

Next, the man pulled out a medium-sized utility knife and asked where the money was, court files state. She pointed to her register and stepped back as the robber grabbed $267 and left. The woman told police that she locked herself inside the store until police arrived.

Video surveillance footage of the crime revealed that the robber wore a dark-hooded jacket, red bandana, black winter hat and red-and-white shoes with gray stripes and gray shoelaces.

"It should be noted that the male suspect could be seen wearing only one glove, which was on his right hand," court files show.

Joliet Police Detectives Robert Korczak and Jeff German obtained a license plate for the suspect's car, which was a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix after reviewing the surveillance cameras in the area.

Other Joliet police were subsequently notified to be the lookout for the suspect's license plates.

Two days later, off-duty Joliet police officer Patrick Kelly alerted dispatchers that he was behind the suspect's car near Essington and Black Roads. The Pontiac Grand Prix turned on Bronk Road and was eventually pulled over in the 800 block of Schock Drive by Officer Terry Higgins.

When police searched the car, they found ULINE gloves identical to the ones worn in the PCS Metro robbery, a large white-and-brass-handled folding pocket knife, a dark-hooded Tommy Hilfiger brand jacket, a red bandana and a black winter hat, among other items, court files state.

Diaz was driven to the downtown Joliet police station for questioning where he was shown photos of his 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix "coming and going from the lot where Metro PCS is located and Diaz related that he was at work at Boss Warehouse that day, but then changed his story and said he was at Amigo Insurance, paying his insurance," the forfeiture states.

Eventually, Detective Korczak "asked Diaz about the similarity of the suspect seen in the surveillance video and the clothing found in his vehicle, at which time Diaz invoked his rights and did not wish to speak anymore. The interview was terminated," court records show.

Will County Jail logs show Diaz, who lives in the 600 block of Francis Street, remained in the county jail from Oct. 16 until Halloween when he posted 10 percent of his $20,000 bail.

He remains free while his armed robbery case awaits trial at the Will County Courthouse.

The civil forfeiture case involving his automobile is set for Jan. 13 at the courthouse.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Joliet Patch newsletters and real-time email alerts.