Suspects nabbed in Braidwood vehicle burglary investigation

A month-long investigation into several reports of car burglaries in Braidwood, including two stolen vehicles, resulted in two arrests over the weekend, following cooperation and teamwork among several law enforcement agencies.

The department was investigating several car break-ins which took place in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 6 along several local residential streets, including the 100 and 200 block of Hickory Street, the 700 block of Blackhawk, the 800 block of Western, and the 100 and 200 block of Harbor Landing.

While the investigation was ongoing, the BPD reported that the suspects returned to Braidwood for a second time on Saturday, Sept. 3, allegedly committing additional car burglaries.

According to the report, the investigation turned up four handguns that were potentially stolen, along with two stolen vehicles from other jurisdictions that were used in Braidwood’s crimes.

“While actively tracking our suspects, in a stolen vehicle, it was ascertained that they were in Nettle Creek subdivision in Morris attempting to locate another car to steal,” the BPD stated in a press release. “Morris Police Department was able to locate the stolen vehicle. The vehicle was pursued to Joliet, where three subjects were taken into custody, after Channahon Police Department, and Grundy County Sheriff’s Office deployed stop sticks and the stolen vehicle crashed.”

The suspects were turned over to the Braidwood Police Department.

According to the report, those suspects—Lajuan James, 25, of Lansing, and Davonnte Marshall, 28, of Homewood—made incriminating statements during the interview process.
“This is a great example of agencies working together,” the BPD statement noted, adding that the investigation was assisted by the Joliet Police Department, Minooka Police Department, and Will County Sheriff’s Office.

James was booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on $75,000 bond. He faces three felony charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, and three felony counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Marshall was also booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on a $90,000 bond. He has been charged with one felony count of possession of a stolen vehicle, and two misdemeanor counts of illegal possession of ammunition/FOID violation.

The arrests come as Braidwood and other local communities continue to urge local residents to be vigilant about keeping their vehicles locked, and keeping valuables out of sight.

Police Chief Todd Lyons noted that in cases such as car burglaries, criminals look for anything of value in the vehicles, from purses and laptops to loose change. Vehicles are ransacked looking for anything of value before thieves move on to the next car.

Despite low crime rates locally, law enforcement still encourages the public to stay vigilant.

The Braidwood Police Department has joined other local law enforcement agencies to encourage the public to engage in a regular 9 p.m. routine, a nightly reminder to remove valuables from vehicles, lock vehicle doors, lock up the house, and turn on exterior lights and alarms/security systems.

Vehicle burglaries are often the result of those criminals simply pulling on car doors hoping to find one unlocked, then swiping anything in reach. That means anything left in cars, from loose change to wallets to electronics, could potentially be taken.

The BPD encourages the community to perform a 9 p.m. security check every night to look for the following:

• Vehicles, residences, garages, windows, gates, and sheds are locked.

• Tools, firearms, bikes, keys, and other valuables are secured or brought inside.

• Activate exterior lights, security cameras, and alarm systems.

Suspicious activity should always be reported immediately by dialing 911.