Repeat offender from Joliet arrested for strangling his ex-girlfriend

A 43-year-old Joliet Man was arrested, processed and booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility for Domestic Violence (2 counts), Assault, Violation of Conditions of Pretrial Detention, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer and Resisting a Peace Officer. Douglas Yates was processed and released after summons for motor vehicle theft and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. In total, Douglas has been charged with 11 felonies and 13 misdemeanors since June of last year. Douglas remains behind bars on additional charges.

On August 23, 2024 at 4:15 am Joliet police officers responded to an apartment in the 700 block of Oneida Street for a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers learned that Yates had entered the residence and approached his ex-girlfriend, placed his hand on her throat and pushed her onto a bed. It is believed that Yates struck the victim in the body and punched her in the face. The victim then fled the residence. Officers were unable to locate Yates. They determined that Yates was not allowed to be on Oneida Street due to pretrial detention conditions from a previous arrest.

Later that same morning at 6:58 a.m., officers responded to a report of a vehicle theft at Thornton's Gas Station (400 Collins Street). Upon arrival, officers learned that a Toyota Camry had been stolen from a parking lot. The owner had entered the gas station and left the vehicle in the parking lot with the engine running. The vehicle theft was captured on video.

Later that morning at 9:00 a.m., officers were again called to the 700 block of Oneida Street after it was reported that Yates had returned and struck his ex-girlfriend and her male neighbor again. It is believed that Yates struck the victim in the head after she opened the apartment door. Yates then struck the victim's male neighbor before fleeing the scene in the Toyota Camry that had previously been stolen from Thornton.

A short time later, officers observed Yates in the stolen Toyota in the parking lot of the Townhouse Motel (832 Plainfield Road). Yates exited the vehicle and ran from officers who attempted to stop him. Officers caught up to Yates and took him into custody after a brief struggle during which Yates refused to put his hands behind his back. A Joliet Fire Department ambulance was called for Yates. While handcuffed, Yates spit on an officer. Yates was transported by the Joliet Fire Department to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center. Yates was released from the hospital later that day and taken to the Joliet Police Department for processing and then transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Center.