Joliet police detectives have asked for a grand jury to investigate a missing person, a theft and the theft of a gun related to a case filed the same day local woman Linda Fellenbaum's disappearance was reported, according to court papers.
Circumstances described in the Nov. 6 motion to appoint a grand jury and grand jury investigators—the theft and the theft of a firearm—match allegations made in the Fellenbaum case. Before the mother of three vanished on Oct. 21, her live-in boyfriend, 40-year-old Donald Wolak, reportedly went to the police and told officers she stole a "large sum of cash" and one of his handguns.
Fellenbaum, 33, returned to Wolak's 3608 Crockett Court home five days later, on Oct. 21, police said.
Wolak expected her to return the gun and money, police said, but instead the two argued. According to police, Wolak told them Fellenbaum then fled barefoot into the night, leaving behind her shoes, her cell phone and her Toyota Camry.
Fellenbaum's family first reported her missing to police in Hinsdale, where she had been living before moving in with Wolak, on the day after she supposedly ran off without her shoes. After the Hinsdale police realized the investigation was outside their jurisdiction, they reportedly sent the family to the Joliet Police Department.
Fellenbaum's family then filed a missing person report with the Joliet police on Oct. 25. The police report associated with the motion to appoint a grand jury is also from Oct. 25.
Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton said the appointment of a grand jury does not necessarily mean the police are seeking an indictment against anyone.
"The grand jury can be used as a tool to investigate, not just for indictments," Trafton said.
The chief declined to comment on specific developments in the investigation of Fellenbaum's disappearance.
Fellenbaum's family held a prayer service for her at a Chicago church Friday.