Motel owner accused of promoting prostitution

A long-term investigation has ended with the arrests of two people with close ties to one of Braidwood’s most recognizable landmarks.

On March 28, Braidwood police made two arrests on felony charges at the Sun Motel along I-55, recognized across the country as the famed hotel in the movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

Braidwood Police arrested Vinodchandra “Vinny” Patel, the listed Sun Motel owner and a resident of Des Plaines, for promoting prostitution, a class 4 felony.

Also arrested was Kanubhai “Kenny” Patel, reported as residing and managing the Sun Motel, on an aggravated battery charge, a class 3 felony.

The Sun Motel became a target of an undercover police operation and surveillance after police received numerous complaints from Braidwood citizens and highway travelers patronizing the motel about the alleged criminal activities at the establishment.

The investigation has been ongoing since August 2018.

The Braidwood Police were assisted by the Joliet Junior College Police in an undercover investigation at the motel.

Since January 2015 through February 2019 there were 14 drug overdoses calls at the Sun Motel, two resulting in deaths. The latest call occurred in February of this year.

Both Patels were transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet.

The Braidwood Police Department reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.