Repeat Joliet Offender Arrested for Choking Ex-Girlfriend

A 43 year old Joliet man was arrested, processed, and  transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility for Domestic Battery (2 Counts),  Battery, Violation of Pretrial Conditions, Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer, and Resisting a  Peace Officer. Douglas Yates was processed and released on a Notice to Appear 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 for other charges.

On August 23, 2024, at 4:15 a.m., Joliet Police Officers responded to an apartment in the 700 block of Oneida Street for a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Officers learned that Yates had  entered the apartment and approached his ex-girlfriend, placing his hand on her throat and  shoving her to a bed. It is believed Yates punched the victim in the body and was poking her in  the face. The victim then fled the apartment. Officers were unable to locate Yates. Officers  determined that Yates was not allowed to be at the Oneida Street address due to pretrial  conditions from a past arrest.  

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

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

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 placed him into custody following a brief struggle in which Yates refused to place his hands behind his back. A Joliet Fire Department  ambulance was called for Yates. While he was in handcuffs, Yates spit on an Officer. Yates was transported to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department. Yates  was released from the hospital later in the day and he was transported to the Joliet Police Department for processing then transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.