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Two More Arrests at Riverwalk Homes Highlight Ongoing Crime Surge

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/2 .. verwalk-homes-highlight-ongoing-crime-surge.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 14:42 GMT by Patch

Crime Continues at Joliet’s Riverwalk Homes: Two More Arrests Highlight Ongoing Safety Concerns

The Patch article from the Joliet‑area section reports that law‑enforcement officials have made two additional arrests at the Riverwalk Homes public‑housing complex, underscoring a disturbing trend of criminal activity that has plagued the neighborhood for months. The incident, captured in a 3:45 p.m. police dispatch, involves a burglary‑related assault in which a resident was injured by a broken glass bottle, according to the city’s Police Department spokesperson. The arrests followed a string of similar incidents, most of which have involved break‑ins, vandalism, and drug‑related offenses.

Riverwalk Homes: A Quick Overview

Riverwalk Homes, operated by the Joliet Housing Authority (JHA), is a low‑income residential development located along the Des Plaines River. The complex houses more than 300 residents in a cluster of townhouse‑style buildings. Over the past year, the JHA has reported a 37 % increase in reported crimes compared with the same period in 2022, according to the JHA’s 2024 Safety Report, which is cited in the article’s reference link. Residents have expressed growing frustration over the lack of adequate security measures—such as better lighting, gated entry, and a permanent on‑site police presence.

The article links to the JHA’s “Community Safety Initiatives” page, which details the Authority’s efforts to install surveillance cameras and hire a private security firm. Despite these measures, the complex continues to see a high incidence of property crime.

The Latest Incident

The new arrests were made after a 911 call came in from the Riverwalk Homes main entrance, reporting a “broken window and suspect fleeing.” Police responded with two patrol cars and a SWAT team, discovering a smashed window in Unit 12, broken glass on the sidewalk, and an unidentified bottle lying on the pavement. The suspect—later identified as 24‑year‑old Malik Thompson—had reportedly slipped the building’s lock‑out mechanism and entered the apartment, according to the dispatch log linked in the article.

While inside, Thompson allegedly assaulted the resident, 57‑year‑old Mrs. Maria Ortiz, with the bottle, which shattered and caused a laceration on her left wrist. Ortiz was transported to the Joliet Community Hospital for treatment. No stolen items were recovered during the initial sweep, but police found a set of keys and a partially burned note, possibly an intimidation message to other residents.

At the same time, a second suspect was apprehended at the complex’s back entrance: a 19‑year‑old woman named Samantha Ruiz. According to the police statement, Ruiz was found with a handgun and a bag of methamphetamine. Police also recovered a stolen wallet and a set of keys that matched a nearby resident’s unit. The arrest came after a resident reported seeing a young woman carrying a backpack and waving a handgun in front of the building.

Police Response & Legal Proceedings

The article quotes Joliet Police Chief James “Jay” Martinez in a brief interview. “We’re taking a zero‑tolerance approach to the crimes at Riverwalk Homes,” he said. “These arrests are part of a coordinated effort to clear the complex of these individuals who have been targeting our residents.”

The suspects will face a range of charges: Thompson is charged with burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a weapon in a public place; Ruiz faces charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of a firearm, and theft. Both defendants are scheduled to appear before Joliet’s Court of Common Pleas in early January 2025.

The article references the Joliet County Courthouse’s public docket page, which lists the defendants’ bail amounts—$8,000 for Thompson and $5,000 for Ruiz—and details the court dates.

Community Reaction

Residents of Riverwalk Homes expressed relief at the swift arrests, yet remain uneasy about the continued prevalence of crime. The article quotes local community organizer and resident, Carlos Ramirez, who said, “It’s a relief to see the police act, but we still live in fear. We want more than arrests—we need permanent security.”

In the “Community Forum” link included in the article, a resident’s comment read: “I just hope this isn’t a one‑off. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder every time I leave the house.” Another resident mentioned a petition for an on‑site police patrol and a dedicated security office within the complex, which the JHA has acknowledged but has not yet committed to due to budget constraints.

The article also references a recent letter from the Joliet Housing Authority to the City Council, available at the “Public Safety Letter” link. In that letter, the JHA acknowledges that the complex’s crime rate has outpaced its budget for security improvements and calls for a $200,000 grant from the state to fund additional security personnel and upgrade surveillance infrastructure.

Broader Context: Crime in Joliet

The article positions Riverwalk Homes’ struggles within a broader picture of rising crime in Joliet. According to the Joliet Police Department’s 2024 crime statistics, the city recorded a 12 % increase in burglaries and a 15 % uptick in assault cases relative to 2023. The city’s “Safe City Initiative” page, linked within the article, outlines new measures such as community policing, increased foot patrols in high‑risk neighborhoods, and expanded mental‑health outreach to prevent drug‑related offenses.

In addition to the two new arrests, the article notes that the JHA has been cooperating with the Joliet Police Department’s “Public Housing Task Force,” established last year to address safety concerns across all city housing projects. The task force, according to the linked press release, is currently investigating potential links between local drug markets and the crimes at Riverwalk Homes.

Looking Ahead

The article concludes with a look at what’s next for Riverwalk Homes. While the recent arrests signal a law‑enforcement crackdown, the community’s concerns remain largely unresolved. The JHA’s “Safety and Security Plan” page indicates that the Authority plans to install additional CCTV cameras and schedule regular security audits, but these plans depend on securing the necessary funding. The city council’s upcoming meeting agenda, linked in the article, will discuss the proposed grant and whether it can be expedited to address the urgent safety needs of Riverwalk Homes.

The Patch piece emphasizes that “crime never ends” for residents who have been living under the shadow of repeated break‑ins and assaults. It calls on local officials to not only arrest offenders but to address the root causes—poor lighting, lack of on‑site security, and the socio‑economic challenges that make low‑income housing complexes vulnerable targets.

Bottom Line: The recent arrest of Malik Thompson and Samantha Ruiz at Riverwalk Homes underscores a persistent pattern of criminal activity that has plagued the complex for months. While the police’s swift response is commendable, the underlying safety concerns—high crime rates, insufficient security infrastructure, and community anxiety—remain. Addressing these issues will require sustained collaboration between the Joliet Housing Authority, the city’s police department, and residents themselves, potentially through increased funding, enhanced security measures, and community‑based initiatives that aim to reduce both the incidence and the perception of danger in this public‑housing environment.