Police arrest 18 at Round Lake Park underage drinking party

A 55-year-old Round Lake Park woman has been charged with hosting an underage drinking party that was busted by police, law enforcement officials said Monday.

Karen Paxton, of the 400 block of Greenwood Drive, faces multiple counts of unlawfully permitting a minor to become intoxicated following her arrest at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said.

In addition, Michael Arenas, 20, of the 900 block of Idlewild Drive in Round Lake, was charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and obstructing a peace officer, and 16 people under the age of 21 were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor.

Filenko said an officer was driving in the vicinity of Paxton’s Greenwood Drive residence and spotted two people sitting in a vehicle across the street from the party.

The officer approached the car and noticed the smell of alcohol from a 19-year-old male and 16-year-old female inside the vehicle, Filenko said.

“Officers spoke with them and they said they had just left the gathering and that alcohol was being served,” Filenko said. “The officer called for back up, then went to the door when other officers arrived.”

Paxton answered the door when officers knocked, Filenko said, and allowed the officers inside. Once inside, officers saw about 25 people at the party — some intoxicated — and observed several containers of alcohol out in the open.

Everyone at the party was issued a portable breath test, Filenko said, and those under the age of 21 with any traces of alcohol on their breath were cited.

Those people were picked up by their parent or guardian at the house where the party took place or the Round Lake Park Police Station, Filenko said.

Police learned through the investigation that an underage person lives at the home where the party took place, and that Paxton purchased alcohol for the party or willingly allowed the party to take place in her home, which is a violation of the village’s social hosting ordinance, Filenko said.

“We are still investigating the entire incident and possible additional charges may be filed,” he said.