Joliet police body cam shows Walgreen thief biting the officer's hand then she hides in the bushes

A 29-year-old woman from Crest Hill was discovering hiding inside a bush on Joliet's west side, police said. Samantha Jo Bravato ran from the Walgreens store and bit one of the Joliet police officers who was trying to capture her, according to arrest reports.

Joliet police managed to capture Bravato, and she was driven to the Will County Jail and booked into custody on charges of aggravated battery to a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance, retail theft, obstructing a peace officer and having an outstanding Will County arrest warrant.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the following events happened early Sunday morning surrounding the arrest of the Crest Hill woman:

At 4:40 a.m. a Joliet officer conducting a business check for Walgreens at 1801 Ingalls Avenue was notified by employees that Bravato was inside the store and concealing merchandise in her purse.

Bravato then ran out of the store without purchasing the merchandise, police said. One officer caught up to her near the north side of the parking lot and tried to place her into custody.

However, authorities said Bravato tried to pull away; she then bit the officer in the hand and continued to run off. Officers established a perimeter and Joliet police dog was called to the scene and eventually found Bravato in a nearby bush.

She was arrested without further incident.

Police said officers searched Bravato’s purse and found the stolen merchandise plus cocaine. Bravato also had a valid Will County warrant for missing court for a prior charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Before being taken to the Will County Jail, Bravato requested medical attention, and she was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department. She was released a short time later and taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

She remained in the county jail on Monday morning.