The Fugitive—Did New Lenox Cops Catch Man Charged With 1978 Murder?

A New Lenox man is being held at the Will County jail in connection with a 1978 Joliet murder, but police and prosecutors are still trying to determine whether they have their man.

Pedro Hernandez was taken into custody by the New Lenox police following a March 14 crash. He was charged with driving under the influence, and when officers ran his name and identifiers, discovered someone matching his description was wanted on a warrant charging him with a 35-year-old Joliet murder.

The Pedro Hernandez wanted for stabbing a man in the chest on April 2, 1978, is 66. The Pedro Hernandez arrested after the crash claims to be 67.

The criminal complaint on file at the Will County Courthouse identifies the victim as Julian Bresino. The Crime Stoppers of Will County website lists it as Julian "Briseno." Crime Stoppers also said the alleged killer uses the alias "Oscar Vasquez Ramirez."

Detectives and police are still verifying whether this is the right Pedro Hernandez.

"The state's attorney is asking the Joliet Police Department to look into the confirmation of his identity based on the warrant," said Joliet police Cmdr. Brian Benton.

In the meantime, Hernandez remains in the county jail without a bond. He has been locked up for 14 days.

Hernandez appeared in court March 15 and is due back before a judge April 5.

In an affidavit he filled out to determine his eligibility for a public defender, Hernandez said he is a retired widower with four children. His income totals $2,300 a month and he has no equity in his $171,000 New Lenox home, the affidavit said.

No one answered the door at Hernandez to Hernandez's Williams Street residence Thursday afternoon.

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