Palatine man pleads not guilty to attacking woman in Mundelein
A man accused of using a fast-food delivery to attack a female acquaintance at her Mundelein apartment pleaded not guilty to charges of home invasion and aggravated stalking in Lake County court on Wednesday.
Igor Karlukov, 36, of the 1300 block of Turtle Creek Circle in Palatine, also pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery and stalking in front of Judge Victoria Rossetti.
The most serious home invasion charge could put Karlukov in prison for up to 30 years, Rossetti said. She also said that if Karlukov is found guilty at trial May 12, the sentences could be served consecutively and result in life behind bars.
Karlukov was arrested Jan. 29 outside the victim's apartment after he allegedly aggressively stalked and called the woman, which prompted her to obtain an order of protection Jan. 27.
After being served with the order Jan. 29, Karlukov went to a fast-food restaurant in Mundelein and persuaded employees to deliver a sandwich to the victim as a gift, authorities said.
The restaurant complied and a driver delivered the food to the victim's door with Karlukov in tow, authorities said.
When the victim opened the door to tell the delivery driver she didn't order the food, authorities said, Karlukov pushed his way inside, jumped on her and choked her.
The delivery driver called 911 during the attack, while the victim's male roommate appeared and pushed Karlukov away, authorities said.
Karlukov escaped the apartment complex before police arrived, authorities said, but returned in a rental car that night. He was arrested by Mundelein police performing extra patrols at the apartment complex to protect the woman, authorities said.
Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Scheller said previously that Karlukov told police he wanted to ”kill and destroy” the woman, adding she “stole his soul and he wanted to get it back.”
He is held in Lake County jail on $500,000 bail, of which he must post $50,000 to be freed. If Karlukov is released on bail, he is not allowed to have contact with the victim, officials said.
Both sides are due back in court April 15 for a case management meeting.
Defense attorney Eric Rinehart would not comment after the arraignment hearing.