Major Crimes Task Force Takes On Lisa’s Case
The Stebic investigation will continue to be directed by the Plainfield Police Department. However, Chief Doster, who took the helm at the police department roughly five months ago, believes the Major Crimes Task Force will bring significant additional resources and a fresh perspective to the investigation. State’s Attorney Glasgow and Chief Hayes concur.
“I have spent these first months on the job reviewing this case file, and I can say without equivocation that Plainfield’s dedicated detectives have conducted a first-rate investigation into Lisa Stebic’s disappearance,” Doster said. “This department will continue to lead the investigation and explore the new avenues we have discussed in the past few months. We will perform that work with assistance from detectives in the Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force.”
Glasgow, who was instrumental in forming the MCTF last year, lauded Doster’s willingness to reach out to other law enforcement agencies to expand the investigation.
“The level of cooperation between Will County law enforcement agencies has always been phenomenal,” the state’s attorney said. “Rather than lose time fighting over turf in a major investigation, our local police chiefs are constantly communicating and always willing to share resources. Participation by the Major Crimes Task Force in the Stebic investigation is yet another example of that cooperation. This investigation remains a top priority, and the addition of the MCTF will strengthen that effort.”
Joliet Police Chief Hayes chairs the Task Force’s Executive Board. At the request of Doster and Glasgow, Chief Hayes received approval from the board to begin assisting with the Stebic investigation.
“In today’s society, criminal investigations are very complex, challenging and demanding,” Hayes said. “Chief Doster should be commended for his decision to use the Task Force. When you have a team of highly skilled, well-trained, seasoned detectives at your disposal, it only makes sense to bring them in. These types of cases are exactly why we created the Major Crimes Task Force.”
The MCTF began operations in May 2009. The Task Force’s chief objective is to direct critical police resources toward the investigation of a major crime immediately after one occurs. Once deployed, the Task Force is designed to develop and follow up on leads in an effort to bring an investigation to a swift and successful conclusion, ideally in the first 48 hours.
However, Task Force detectives also can be made available to assist and review long-standing investigations like the Stebic case.
Thirty-six law enforcement agencies from throughout Will and Grundy counties as well as the FBI and the Illinois State Police contribute staff and resources to the Task Force. From these agencies, more than 50 law enforcement officers lend their skills and expertise to the Task Force.
