On January 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., members of the JolietPolice Department Special Operations Squad, Crisis Negotiation Team, Tactical Unit, Narcotics Unit, Neighborhood Oriented Policing Team, K9 Unit, Investigations, and Patrol executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1000 block of North Raynor Avenue resulting from an extensive narcotics and firearms investigation.

During the execution of the warrant, residents in the surrounding area were advised to shelter in place as a precaution. Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, a nearby school was placed on “Secure and Teach” protocol for nearly one hour to ensure student and staff safety.

Jesus Zambrano (35, Joliet) and two adult females were ordered from the residence and detained. Following a search of the residence, officers recovered multiple loaded firearms to include a 9mm handgun and two .45 caliber handguns. Additionally, ammunition and suspected cocaine, heroin, and Xanax pills were recovered from the home.

It was determined that Zambrano is currently on pre-trial release for multiple past criminal charges and was wearing an ankle monitoring device at the time of the search warrant.

Zambrano was placed into custody and charged with three counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, and Criminal Violation of Pre-Trial Release.

The two adult females were released at the scene. The above charges were approved by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office following their review of this case.

Zambrano was processed at the Joliet Police Department and then transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

“I find yet another arrest of Jesus Zambrano deeply troubling, not only because of what was recovered following this morning’s search warrant, but because of what this arrest represents,” said Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans.

“I have learned that Zambrano has nine open criminal cases in Will County, many of them involving firearms, and yet he is still walking our streets. I am fed up.

“Our officers are doing their jobs responding to calls, investigating cases, executing warrants, and taking dangerous offenders into custody only to see individuals with repeated violent and firearm-related arrests released right back into our neighborhoods. This pattern is unacceptable.

“Zambrano is a dangerous person who has repeatedly demonstrated that he has no regard for the law or for human life.

“The Illinois SAFE-T Act is broken, and it is not making our community safer. It is creating a revolving door that puts the same violent offenders back into the community, while our officers and residents pay the price.

“And while I am frustrated with a criminal justice system that too often fails to hold repeat offenders accountable, I want the public to know this: I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Joliet Police Department.

“Despite the challenges, despite the revolving door, and despite a broken system that repeatedly undermines public safety, our officers still show up every day. They still answer the calls. They still put themselves in harm’s way. For that, I am grateful, and I know the Joliet community is grateful as well.”