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Judge orders home monitoring for Elgin torture suspect

An 18-year-old who authorities say was the leader in the kidnapping and cigarette torture of a teen in Elgin in February will be allowed to stay with his aunt in Elgin on electronic home monitoring, a judge ruled Thursday.

The bail for Luis Palomar, of Lake in the Hills, had been increased from $200,000 to $300,000 because he was arrested on car burglary charges while free on bond.

Judge Linda Abrahamson reverted the bail back to its original amount and granted a move by defense attorney Alison Motta to allow him to stay at his aunt's home while the case proceeds.

"It's like jail at home," Abrahamson told Palomar. "No one can come and see you."

Palomar and three other female defendants are accused of kidnapping Palomar's ex-girlfriend in Elgin the night of Jan. 26, beating her and using cigarettes to burn a tattoo on her shoulder that matched one of Palomar's tattoos. The teen was found the next morning after someone called police to report a person being held against her will.

Palomar was arrested in March in Mexico and returned to Kane County where he posted bond in late April. Abrahamson increased Palomar's bail last week after prosecutors argued he violated conditions of his bond because he failed to contact his court services officer and was arrested in early August on charges he burglarized a car near Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee.

Palomar testified at Thursday's hearing his friend began checking cars for unlocked doors and Palomar tried to stop him.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Kelly Orland said it would be risky to allow Palomar home detention.

"The defendant, in fact, did commit a forcible felony while out on bond," Orland said. "He was observed (by police) inside the vehicle, not just leaning in."

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