Joliet man accused of threatening cleaners with gun

Joliet — A Joliet man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after police said he threatened two people with a gun inside his home Thursday afternoon.

After the man’s arrest, detectives found that the handgun used during the incident was a replica toy, according to a news release from the Joliet Police Department.

Police responded to the 500 block of Irving Street about 12:45 p.m. for a report of a disturbance involving a handgun, according to the release.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a man and a woman who reported being threatened with a handgun by the homeowner, later identified as 46-year-old Erik Aviles, during a house-cleaning appointment, police said.

Aviles had hired the cleaning service through an online platform, and the workers arrived at his home about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, police said.

Near the end of the appointment, Aviles reportedly became angry and accused the man and woman of stealing, police said.

“It is believed Aviles retrieved a handgun from a nearby couch and pointed it at the male victim. When the male and female attempted to leave, Aviles allegedly grabbed the female by her jacket and used his arm to press her against the door, preventing her escape,“ police said in the release.

Aviles also is accused of holding the gun to the woman’s head and body before ordering her to leave the residence, police said. Both victims eventually fled the home safely, police said.

Officers at the scene established a perimeter around the residence, and the Joliet police special operations squad and crisis negotiator team were called out. A shelter in place order was issued for nearby residents at the time.

The crisis negotiator made contact with Aviles from the street, and members of the special operations squad announced themselves at the door, Joliet police public affairs Sgt. Dwayne English said.

“A man came to the door and surrendered peacefully. He was taken into custody, and the officers conducted a safety check on the house,” English said.

Aviles was taken to the Will County jail and was charged with aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated assault, police said.

There was no evidence found to substantiate Aviles’ claim of theft, police said.