'You Can Die Today,' Joliet Auto Shop Threatened By Gunman: Cops

Joliet IL

31 January, 2022

12:51 PM

Description

JOLIET, IL — A 23-year-old Joliet man got into an argument with the employees at the 5 Star Auto shop on Saturday morning, returning with a gun, pointing it at one of the auto shop workers, exclaiming, "You can die today," according to Joliet police. Afterward, the employee struggled with Nicholas Garcia Jr. and pushed Garcia outside the shop located at 800 East Jackson St., according to police. Officers later arrested Garcia at his home in the 600 block of Algonquin Street, on the city's east side. Garcia was booked into the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault. Saturday's incident unfolded around 10:30 a.m. According to police, Garcia went to the auto shop for service and left a short time later. Then, Garcia called the auto shop and argued with an employee over the phone. Eventually, Garcia returned to 5 Star Auto to argue with the auto shop employees, police said. "Garcia refused to leave and was eventually chased out of the business by an employee. Garcia went to his vehicle and returned to the shop carrying a 9 mm handgun. Garcia pointed the handgun at an employee advising, "You can die today,'" Joliet police reports show. After the employee pushed Garcia outside the shop, the worker locked the door and called 911. Joliet police found Garcia at his house on Algonquin Street and placed him into custody. Officers recovered the handgun from Garcia's waistband at the time of the arrest, police reports show. After spending 26 hours in custody over the weekend, Garcia was freed from the Will County Jail on Sunday afternoon after posting 10 percent of his $10,000 bail.