Arreola

On March 7, 2026, at 3:46 p.m., officers responded to Gonzalez Fresh Produce, (652 Collins Street) for a report of a man beating a rooster outside the store.

Upon arrival, officers located a man matching the provided description near the south entrance of the business. The man was identified as Francisco Arreola (39, Joliet), after initially providing fictitious identifying information.

Officers observed that Arreola appeared to be intoxicated. He was holding a tan, black, and white rooster that was attached to a rope leash tied to its leg. The rooster appeared to be injured, with visible cuts and bleeding to the top of its head, as well as blood on its feathers.

During the investigation, Arreola made statements indicating the rooster was his pet and that he was training it to fight. He later recanted, indicating that he was attempting to train the animal to defend itself.

A witness reported observing Arreola strike the rooster multiple times after attempting to place it into a shopping cart outside the store. Arreola was taken into custody without incident.

An animal control officer with Joliet Township Animal Control responded to the scene and took protective custody of the rooster. Members of the Joliet Police Department Animal Crimes Team also responded to assist with the investigation and coordinate veterinary care for the animal.

Following consultation with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, Arreola was charged with Felony Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals, Animals in Entertainment Violation, and Obstructing Justice. Officers also confirmed that Arreola had two active arrest warrants out of Kane County.

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