A Waukegan man was arrested after police say he broke down the door of a woman’s home who he did not know and entered while she was inside with her five young children.
Jose Herrera, Jr., 23, of the 300 block of North Green Bay Road in Waukegan, was charged with criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to property, assault and disorderly conduct.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday to the 12700 block of West 28th Street in Beach Park for a report of an intruder inside the residence.
The 911 caller told dispatchers that she was home with her five young children and they locked themselves inside a bedroom because an unknown man was trying to break in.
The man, later identified as Herrera, broke down a door and entered the home, according to Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli.
Herrera repeatedly yelled, “Where is she at?” while he was inside the home, Covelli said, adding that Herrera did not know anyone inside the victims’ residence.
Sheriff’s deputies and Zion police officers arrived on the scene and took Herrera into custody.
He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital due to injuries he sustained to his arms and legs while forcing his way into the home.
Herrera was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon and transported to the Lake County jail.
He is being held in the Lake County Jail on a $50,000 bond and will appear in court again on Monday.