Man charged with attempted murder, home invasion in Lyons Township

An Orland Park man who attacked two women in their unincorporated Lyons Township apartment has been charged with attempted murder and home invasion.

After one of the women died as a result of Monday’s attack, it was likely the charge would be upgraded to murder, according to a release from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Sheriff’s Police responded to a report of domestic violence at an apartment building in the 6400 block of Joliet Road. Heading to a second-floor apartment, police found Juan Carlos Perez-Abarca, 35, holding a woman, 48, on the floor at knifepoint.

A second person, later found to be a 16-year-old girl, lay motionless on the floor nearby, officials said.

Police ordered Perez-Abarca to release the woman, but instead he briefly put the knife to his neck before stabbing the woman again. An officer fired at Perez-Abarca, hitting him in the leg.

Police began lifesaving efforts on the victims and Perez-Abarca. The women were taken to the hospital, the 48-year-old woman listed in serious condition. The girl was pronounced dead at 10:13 p.m. Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office approved two counts of attempted murder and one of home invasion, according to the release.

However, in court on Friday prosecutors indicated they would upgrade the charge to murder because the younger victim died due to her injuries.

Perez-Abarca was ordered to be held in the Cook County Jail until his next court appearance on Sept. 5.