Police: Joliet man hits ex-girlfriend's car, threatens her with knife

JOLIET – A Joliet man damaged his ex-girlfriend’s car and threatened her with a knife after the two got into an argument, police said.

Kenneth J. Willhite, 39, of the 1200 block of Hague Street, was arrested and charged by Joliet police Thursday night with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property after the incident.

Police were called to the 800 block of West Jefferson Street regarding a disturbance, said Joliet Police Capt. Jeff Allbert. They spoke with three people regarding the incident: Willhite, the victim, who had a prior dating relationship with Willhite, and the victim’s daughter, who was a witness.

Allbert said the victim went to Willhite's place of employment in the 800 block of West Jefferson Street to speak with him but the talk turned into a shouting match. Willhite reportedly tried to leave in his car but the victim was blocking him with her own car.

Willhite tried to make her move and ended up damaging her car, Allbert said. Willhite then got out of the car and the argument continued until he allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and threatened her with it.

The victim’s daughter corroborated her mother’s story that she was threatened by Willhite with a knife and that he hit her car, Allbert said.

Willhite had an emergency order of protection filed against him by a Chicago woman on Friday. According to court records, the order was granted and a hearing on extending it was scheduled.

Last September, Willhite filed against the same woman an order of protection, which was granted. The woman tried to have the order of protection terminated in November but it was denied, court records show. The order was dismissed in January.