Man arrested in connection to murder of woman in Joliet alley

A 48-year-old Bolingbrook man has been arrested in connection to the murder of a mother in a Joliet alley. Jermaine Mandley has been charged with three counts of First Degree Murder.

On January 8, at 12:21 AM, Joliet Police were called to an alley west of the 1200 block of Clement Street in regards to a parking complaint. Upon approaching the vehicle officers discovered the body of 24-year-old Maya  Smith in the front seat of the vehicle. Smith had died from multiple gunshot wounds.

A female 2-year-old child was located in the backseat of the vehicle and was immediately transported to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center  by the Joliet Fire Department for a medical evaluation. The child was medically cleared and placed in the care of other family members.

During an extensive investigation by Joliet Police Detectives, Mandley was quickly identified as the suspect in this case. On January 9, 2023, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office approved
three counts of First Degree Murder. A Will County Judge set bond at $5 million. In cooperation with federal law enforcement partners, Mandley was located near the southeast side of Chicago and taken into custody this evening at approximately 6:00 PM. Detectives transported Mandley to the Joliet Police Department where he was processed and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Smith. In my 28 years in law enforcement, this is one of the most heinous acts that I’ve encountered. I’m extremely proud of our Detectives who have worked around the clock to bring this coward to justice. I hope this quick arrest provides comfort to the family of Ms. Smith during a time of such unspeakable loss. Thank you to our law enforcement partners for their cooperation during this investigation.” – Joliet Police Chief William Evans