Man Jumped Out Bel-Air Motel Bathroom Window To Elude Joliet Police Before Capture: Cops

JOLIET, IL — It took two months and four different police incidents, but the Joliet Police Department finally managed to capture 40-year-old Joliet resident Nakienae Caruth in connection with a stolen car investigation.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 10:22 p.m. on July 15, officers on patrol attempted to stop a Kia Telluride in the 2300 block of West Jefferson Street for failing to signal
and failure to yield. The driver refused to stop and accelerated northbound on Republic Street at a high rate of speed.

Officers did not pursue the vehicle and eventually lost sight of it. During the investigation, English said the officers identified the driver as Nakienae Caruth and learned the Kia had been reported to be stolen.

At 3:17 a.m. on Aug. 4, English said officers saw Caruth in the parking lot of the Bel-Air Motel at 1103 Plainfield Road before he entered a motel room.

According to police, officers attempted to apprehend Caruth and gave multiple commands for him to exit. A woman subsequently opened the door and advised that Caruth had fled through a bathroom window, English said.

Officers briefly observed Caruth running from the area but were unable to locate him.

Then, over Labor Day weekend, he was captured.

At 9:30 p.m. Sept. 5, English said officers in the area of Theodore Street and North Larkin Avenue saw a Chevrolet Trailblazer drive through a parking lot toward Larkin Avenue. Officers recognized the driver as Caruth from the previous incidents. According to English, after seeing Caruth driving recklessly, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop near North Larkin Avenue and Ingalls Avenue.

Police said Caruth refused to stop and fled in the vehicle, and officers did not pursue.

The next morning at 5:37 a.m., officers found the Chevrolet Trailblazer in the parking lot of Fenton’s Motel at 2305 W. Jefferson St. and took Caruth into custody in connection with the above incidents.

Caruth was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a peace officer, two counts of driving while license revoked, and obstructing a peace officer. He was also issued numerous traffic citations. Caruth was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a notice to appear in court.