Police: Man stabbed to death over bag of marijuana in Joliet

Two men have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in a fight over a bag of marijuana Sunday night in southwest suburban Joliet.

Officers responding to a large fight in the 2900 block of Reflection Court about 10 p.m. found 25-year-old Rudy Valdez with multiple stab wounds nearby in the 2100 block of Horizon Court, Joliet Deputy Police Chief Alan Roechner said. A black Jeep was seen speeding from the scene.

Valdez was taken to Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:50 p.m. Monday, according to the Will County coroner’s office.

The Jeep ended up crashing nearby and a second victim, who had been stabbed in the pelvis during the fight, was discovered with non-life-threatening injuries, Roechner said.

Two men who live on the 2900 block of Reflection Court, 19-year-old Rodolfo Trujillo and 20-year-old Oracio Loera, were arrested in connection with the stabbing, Roechner said.

The fight broke out because Trujillo was upset with Valdez about a $40 bag of bad marijuana he had received, the deputy chief said. Trujillo was seen walking away from the scene holding a knife.

Trujillo was charged with attempted murder and mob action; and Loera was charged with aggravated battery and mob action, Roechner said.

Detectives are meeting with the Will County state’s attorney’s office Tuesday to determine if the charges will be upgraded.

Oracio Loera | Will County sheriff’s office