Police: Plainfield Armed Robbery Suspect Nabbed After Reporting Lost Car

A Plainfield teen who allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint and then ditched his vehicle at the scene of the crime was arrested two days later — after he called the police and asked for his car back.

Joshua T. Hamad, 18, of the 21000 block of Juneau Drive is charged with armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon after he allegedly robbed a 25-year-old Joliet woman, police said.

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Will County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said the victim had arranged to meet with her on-again, off-again boyfriend at the intersection of Jane Circle and Jennings Court in unincorporated Plainfield around 6 p.m. Friday.

But Hamad, who is an acquaintance of the boyfriend, showed up instead, Hoffmeyer said.

“He gets in her car and tells her to give him all her money,” Hoffmeyer said.

When the woman said she didn’t have any money with her, Hamad pulled out a gun, police said. 

The victim fought back and threw a cup of coffee on Hamad, Hoffmeyer said.

According to police, when the woman tried to call 911, Hamad grabbed her car keys and cell phone, but was thrown off guard when another acquaintance happened by the scene of the crime and heard the victim’s screams.

“The witness started yelling, ‘What are you doing, Josh?’” Hoffmeyer said.

That prompted Hamad to flee on foot — leaving behind his 1995 Cadillac DeVille, which was parked nearby, police said.

The alleged armed robber may not have had far to run, since the address listed in his Will County jail booking record is less than a half-mile from the scene of the robbery.

According to Hoffmeyer, when police arrived, the witness was able to identify the Cadillac as belonging to Hamad.

The car was impounded. Two days later, Hamad called the Will County Sheriff’s Department looking for the vehicle, Hoffmeyer said.

Hamad was arrested Sunday after he showed up at the police impound lot on Laraway Road in Joliet. Hoffmeyer said police did not recover the gun that was allegedly used in the crime.

“He was going to be brought in for questioning,” Hoffmeyer said. “We didn’t have to look too far — he came to us.”

Hoffmeyer wouldn’t say whether the victim’s on-again, off-again boyfriend is believed to have been involved in the robbery.

“It’s still an open investigation,” she said, adding the woman had received a small inheritance shortly before the crime.

“The victim thought that might have something to do with it,” Hoffmeyer said.

Hamad was due in bond court Monday afternoon.

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