Joliet ex-con charged in connection with Morris hit-and-run wreck

A Joliet ex-convict was hit with felony weapons charges following his involvement in a hit-and-run crash Saturday on Route 47 in Morris.

Martin Craig was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon along with failing to report an accident or injury, causing an accident resulting in injury or death and aggravated fleeing.

About 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Craig was involved in a crash following an attempted traffic stop by a Grundy County deputy, police said.

Craig sped away from the deputy, heading north on Route 47 until he collided with another vehicle just north of Green Acres Drive, police said.

Craig then “fled the scene on foot and ran behind the Super 8 Motel (at) 70 Green Acres Drive,” police said.

When Morris police officers, Grundy County deputies and an off duty detective from an undisclosed suburban agency tracked Craig down, he ”drew a black semi-automatic weapon and discharged his firearm,” police said.

Craig then ran inside the R.P. Home and Harvest at 2655 Sycamore Drive, according to police, initiating a standoff with the law.

“No one was injured during the R.P. standoff,” police said. “An occupant of the victim’s vehicle was transported to Morris Hospital.”

Craig was released from prison in December 2020, Illinois Department of Corrections records show.

Craig served state time for obstructing justice, residential burglary, robbery, aggravating fleeing, receiving stolen property, aggravated battery to a police officer and dealing drugs.

At Craig’s bond hearing Monday, Grundy County Public Defender Gary Dobba asked that Craig be released on his own recognizance. Grundy County Judge Lance Peterson set bond at $250,000. Craig remains in the Grundy County jail.