A Park Forest, Illinois, man was taken into custody by Hebron Police for the second time in a matter of days Thursday on a felony warrant from Illinois, police said.
Joshua A. Salinas, 30, was one of three people arrested Monday night on an assortment of felony charges after a retail theft investigation, vehicle pursuit, foot pursuit and subsequent narcotics investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Salinas was charged with possession of cocaine, a Level 4 felony; resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, a Level 6 felony; and misdemeanor counts of theft and possession of marijuana.
Christion A. Hudson, 20, and Xavier F. Gonzalez, 20, both of Chicago, face charges of possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 4 felony, and misdemeanor counts for theft and possession of marijuana.
Despite being released from the Porter County Jail earlier this week, Salinas was taken back into custody by the same agency only days later, Hebron Police said in a relase.
Around 2 p.m. Thursday, Salinas arrived at the Hebron Police Department to get his vehicle from impound. During the transaction, the department’s records clerk ran a records check and discovered Salinas was wanted on an active felony warrant from Illinois for burglary and retail theft, police said.
The records clerk immediately notified officers of the outstanding warrant.
The warrant, police said, indicated Salinas should be considered armed and dangerous. Assistant Chief Sejda requested additional officers respond to the police department to assist with taking Salinas into custody.
Before officers could make contact with him regarding the warrant, Salinas became suspicious and left the police department.
Given the seriousness of the felony warrant, Salinas’ recent felony charge for fleeing law enforcement, and information indicating he may be armed and dangerous, officers acted quickly to prevent another flight from justice and to minimize any potential threat to public safety, police said.
Assistant Chief Scott Sejda, along with two Porter County Sheriff’s deputies, located Salinas and boxed in his vehicle using police vehicles. The tactic prevented Salinas from fleeing and allowed officers to safely take him into custody without further incident.
Salinas was transported to the Porter County Jail, where he is being held pending extradition proceedings to Illinois. Salinas is also a documented member of the Latin Kings street gang, police said.
“This arrest is the direct result of alert personnel, proactive police work, and strong cooperation between agencies,” Hebron Police said in the release. “When officers are presented with the opportunity to safely apprehend a wanted fugitive—particularly one facing felony charges, identified as armed and dangerous, and with a recent history of fleeing law enforcement—we will take decisive action to protect our community.”
