A convicted felon was arrested after prosecutors say he committed a residential burglary in Fox Lake while armed with a replica gun and ordered the home’s occupants into a room.
Miguel J. Gonzalez, 34, of Fox Lake, was charged with residential burglary, unlawful restraint, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa said Gonzalez entered a residence in Fox Lake uninvited on March 7.
The homeowner called 911 and reported Gonzalez was armed with a gun and threatened to kill people inside the home, DeRosa said.
DeRosa said Gonzalez was reportedly trying to confront a man at the residence who he believed supplied a lethal dose of drugs that led to a family member’s overdose death.
Gonzalez was wearing a mask and was armed with a paintball gun, which the victims believed was a real gun, DeRosa said.
Gonzalez ordered everyone in the house into a back room while armed with the gun, DeRosa said. One of the victims said he thought he was going to die.
Officers responding to the 911 call encountered Gonzalez and arrested him.
The paintball gun, which reportedly resembled a Glock handgun, was recovered from a garbage can.
DeRosa said Gonzalez has an extensive criminal history and in 2018 was convicted in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 63 months in prison.
He also has robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated battery in a public place and resisting arrest convictions.
Attorney Gregory Nikitas, who is representing Gonzalez, said his client has made “major life changes” and the incident that occurred is unlikely to happen again.
Gonzalez was given information that his future father-in-law died from an overdose, Nikitas said, adding that Gonzalez had permission to be at the home.
Nikitas said everyone at the home when the incident occurred was grieving from the news of the family member’s death and alcohol was involved.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Gonzalez pending trial.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted the petition after finding there were no conditions of release to ensure the public’s safety.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 17.