JOLIET, Ill. — Authorities have charged 66-year-old Lamarris Creal from Joliet’s east side in a recent assault and attempted robbery that occurred in a local parking lot. The incident, which unfolded at Highland Liquors on East Cass Street, involved the serious assault of a 69-year-old man.
Creal was arrested by the Will County Sheriff’s Office and placed in custody at the Will County Jail shortly after the event. He faces two charges of aggravated battery and one count of attempted robbery following accusations that he violently attacked the elderly man in an attempt to seize his wallet.
According to court filings, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office has taken a stringent stance against granting pretrial release to Creal, noting his repeated jail sentences since 2019. Documents indicate Creal’s history of incarceration, underscoring concerns regarding his potential danger to the community and the victim.
The sheriff’s deputies responded to calls from Highland Liquors, discovering the victim with visible injuries. Although the man declined hospital treatment, he reported to officials that the altercation stemmed from a previous financial dispute with Creal. Allegedly, Creal had sold the victim pain medication on credit, which the victim had not repaid, escalating tensions over time.
The confrontation reached a peak on December 18, when Creal reportedly confronted the victim over the unpaid debt, resulting in physical assault and an attempt to wrest the man’s wallet away. Fortunately, the victim managed to retain his wallet, calling for help during the assault. Creal allegedly fled the scene in his vehicle, which later led to his arrest at his residence.
During his arrest, Creal admitted to deputies that the victim owed him money. Prosecutors emphasized the size disparity between Creal and the victim, possibly indicating an exploitation of physical dominance in the assault. Creal, weighing 245 pounds, contrasted sharply with the 140-pound victim.
Prosecutors have highlighted Creal’s lack of any medical licensure to distribute medication, combined with his violent propensity, as key factors in their plea to keep him detained. Nevertheless, despite the prosecution’s arguments, Will County Judge Colette Sanford decided to release Creal under strict monitoring conditions, including electronic surveillance and mandatory home confinement.
Creal’s case will proceed under these restrictions, and the local judiciary system has set parameters allowing for modifications to his confinement based on subsequent judicial reviews. This incident raises questions about safety, justice, and the adequacy of pretrial arrangements in handling individuals charged with violent crimes.