Joliet Teen Jalen Davis Charged in Spree at Wendy's, Dunkin', Dollar Tree

JOLIET, IL – Joliet police officers arrested an 18-year-old local resident following a fast-moving, early morning commercial burglary spree. The suspect, identified as Jalen Davis, is accused of breaking into a Dollar Tree and a Wendy's, and attempting to burglarize a Dunkin' donuts shop within a span of just a few hours along Plainfield Road and Colorado Avenue.

Timeline of the Early Morning Burglaries

The crime spree began in the pre-dawn hours of November 20. Just before 5:00 a.m., Joliet police responded to a burglary alarm at the Dollar Tree located in the 2900 block of Colorado Avenue. Upon arrival, responding officers found the front glass door completely shattered. A brick, which investigators believe was used to break the glass, was recovered from the sidewalk. A search of the store and surrounding area revealed that various merchandise had been stolen, and bags filled with the stolen goods were subsequently discovered hidden behind the building.

Less than two hours later, at approximately 6:52 a.m., a second call came in from the Wendy’s restaurant at 2900 Plainfield Road. Employees arriving to open the fast-food restaurant for the day reported seeing an unauthorized individual inside. The suspect fled out the back door as officers arrived. Interior surveillance footage showed the burglar had entered the restaurant by forcing open the drive-thru window. Once inside, he caused extensive damage to cash registers, office equipment, and a safe in a futile attempt to access cash.

While processing the crime scenes at Wendy's and Dollar Tree, officers received a report of a masked individual acting suspiciously near the Dunkin' located at 3011 Plainfield Road. Police quickly converged on the coffee shop and apprehended the suspect, Jalen Davis, who was found in possession of burglary tools. Investigation revealed Davis had unsuccessfully tried to pry open a door to gain entry to the Dunkin'.

Charges Filed Against the Suspect

Following his arrest, Jalen Davis was taken to the Joliet Police Department for questioning, where detectives say he admitted to his involvement in all three incidents. Davis was subsequently transported to the Will County Adult Detention Center.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office has charged Davis with:

• Three counts of burglary (Class 2 felonies)
• Possession of burglary tools
• Criminal damage to property
• Obstructing identification

Burglary Prevention Tips for Commercial Retailers and Restaurants

Commercial properties, especially quick-service restaurants and retail shops, are frequent targets for smash-and-grab burglaries during non-operating hours. To minimize risks, the Joliet Police Department recommends businesses implement the following security measures:

• Reinforce Entry Points: Glass doors and large storefront windows should be equipped with impact-resistant security film or heavy-duty security grilles to prevent intruders from gaining entry using bricks or rocks.
• Secure Drive-Thru Windows: Drive-thru windows are common weak points. Ensure they are locked with heavy-duty secondary security latches and reinforced glass, and covered by a surveillance camera.
• Empty Cash Drawers and Leave Them Open: At the close of business, remove all cash from registers and store it in a time-locked, bolted floor safe. Leave empty cash drawers open to show potential burglars that there is no money inside, preventing costly damage to registers.
• Install High-Quality Surveillance Cameras: Position cameras at all exits, cash-handling areas, and drive-thru lanes. High-definition night-vision cameras can provide critical footage to identify suspects who wear masks.
• Prompt Alarm Response: Ensure your burglar alarm system is fully operational and configured to immediately dispatch local police upon sensor activation, minimizing the time an intruder has inside the premises.

Source: Joliet Patch / MSN