Joliet Habitual Felon Hides Loaded Gun Inside Car: Police

Joliet IL

19 July, 2021

4:55 PM

Description

JOLIET, IL — A 27-year-old Joliet resident was arrested Sunday night on charges of being an armed habitual felon and several other criminal charges including illegal possession of a loaded gun. Joliet police say they found the loaded gun inside the locked car of Artemio Mata after responding to a domestic disturbance call in the 400 block of Market Street. Mata was later booked into the Will County Jail on charges of armed habitual felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by felon, unlawful possession of ammunition without a FOID, criminal trespass to land and disorderly conduct. The initial incident that led Mata's arrest happened around 7:15 p.m. "Officers spoke to Mata who reported that he was battered, however numerous witnesses indicated that Mata had injured himself after falling due to his intoxication," Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English indicated. That particular incident ended without any arrests. Several minutes later, Joliet police were called back to the same location after someone reported a man with a gun in the area. "Prior to fleeing, Mata indicated to family members that he had a gun in his vehicle," Joliet police reports indicate. "Mata threw the vehicle keys on the roof of a garage and fled from the scene. While speaking to individuals on scene, officers observed a handgun in plain view inside of Mata's locked vehicle." Officers located Mata in the area, and he was arrested without any problems, police said. The loaded gun was recovered by Joliet police. Mata, who lives in the 400 block of Market Street, was booked into the Will County Jail shortly after 2 a.m. Monday.