Collins St. Home Invasion, Defendant Climbs Through Window: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 20-year-old Joliet man from the 1400 block of Woodruff Road has been charged with home invasion in connection with an early morning attack against an ex-girlfriend, according to police.

Joliet officers found Christian Garcia-Hernandez hiding in a van outside his house after the attack, police reports show. The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

On Wednesday, Garcia-Hernandez remained in the Will County Jail facing a $100,000 bail, and he's being charged with home invasion, aggravated domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence, aggravated battery, theft over $500, criminal damage to property, and criminal trespass to real property.

Joliet police were initially called to the 400 block of Collins Street for a disturbance; a woman was being attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Garcia-Hernandez, police spokesman Dwayne English noted.

"While the victim was in the residence, Garcia-Hernandez entered the home by climbing through a living room window," English announced. "The victim locked herself in a bedroom. Garcia-Hernandez attempted to unlock the door using a kitchen knife, but was unsuccessful.

Garcia-Hernandez exited the residence, and then he began to damage the victim’s bedroom window in an attempt to enter the bedroom, police reports show.

When the woman tried to flee her house, she encountered Garcia-Hernandez outside, and he grabbed her by the wrist, dragged her, and attempted to throw a rock at her, police said.

Garcia-Hernandez placed the victim in a headlock and began choking the victim while she was on the ground, according to police.

"Garcia-Hernandez stole the victim’s cell phone before fleeing the area," English noted.

A short time later, Garcia-Hernandez was found by Joliet police hiding under a van at his residence in the 1400 block of Woodruff Road, and he was arrested, police said.

The victim suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.