Woman Punched 10 Times In Face At Budget Inn: Police

JOLIET, IL — Bail has been set at $100,000 for a 32-year-old Joliet man who is accused of hitting a woman he knew a total of 10 times in her face with a closed fist. He also pointed a gun at the woman's head and threatened to kill her, Joliet police said.

The incident occurred Friday inside one of the hotel rooms at the Budget Inn on McDonough Street, Joliet police said.

Joel Vieyra Jr., who lives in the unit block of Jackson Street, is in the Will County Jail on charges of domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated assault and marijuana possession.

Joliet police cars arrived at the Sam's Club parking lot around 6 p.m. Friday after officers learning of the domestic violence incident, police said.

The victim told police that she and Vieyra were staying in a room at the Budget Inn, and "Vieyra punched the victim in the face with a closed fist approximately ten times, slapped her five additional times, and would not allow the victim to leave the room," according to Joliet police reports.

Later that day, Vieyra pointed a gun at the woman as he threatened to kill her, police said.

After Vieyra left the motel with the victim's car, she fled to the Sam's Club store and called 911, reports show. Joliet police notified other area officers to be on the lookout for the car.

Crest Hill police located Vieyra at the Crest Hill Inn on Plainfield Road, and he was taken away in handcuffs without any problems, reports show.

When Joliet police searched the car Vieyra was driving, officers recovered a loaded firearm on the floorboard. Officers also recovered marijuana in the possession of the defendant, police said.