Man charges in Round Lake Park home invasion

Round Lake Park police have nabbed a man they say held a neighbor at knifepoint during home invasion last week.

Raul Torres, 21, of the 400 block of Kenwood Drive in Round Lake Park, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a warrant charging him with home invasion and residential burglary, Police Chief George Filenko said.

The charges stem from an incident reported to police about 1:25 p.m. Nov. 19 in the 400 block of North Clifton Drive.

Police say Torres was trying to burglarize an upstairs bedroom when he was startled by a 20-year-old man who suddenly awoke in bed.

“The offender didn't even realize (the victim) was in the bed because he was covered with blankets,” Filenko said.

Torres then pulled a knife on the man and forced him downstairs, the chief said. Torres continued to hold the knife on the victim and made him to go back to the upstairs bedroom and locked him in a closet, Filenko said.

The victim later escaped from the closet and called police, who canvassed the neighborhood and received a tip that a man was seen going past a home with a shed.

Officers checked the open shed and found a television, computer and other electronics belonging to the victim, Filenko said. Investigators eventually traced the incident to Torres and obtained a warrant for his arrest from a Lake County judge Monday, police said.

Torres was outside his home when police arrested him Wednesday. Filenko said Torres' home borders the victim's residence.