Joliet man arrested after allegedly threatening cleaning crew with replica handgun

JOLIET, Ill. - A Joliet man was arrested after allegedly threatening a house-cleaning crew with a replica handgun during a dispute over theft.

Erik Aviles, 46, is being held in the Will County Jail on multiple charges.

Disturbance on Irving Street

Joliet police responded at 12:43 p.m. Thursday to the 500 block of Irving Street for a disturbance involving a handgun.

Officers spoke with a woman and a man at the scene, who said they were threatened by a homeowner with a handgun during a cleaning appointment. The homeowner was later identified as Aviles.

Investigators said Aviles hired the cleaning service online, and the workers arrived at his home at 9:30 a.m. 

Pictured is Erik Aviles. (Joliet PD )

Near the end of the appointment, Aviles became angry and accused the workers of stealing. Police believe Aviles then grabbed a handgun from a nearby couch and pointed it at the man. 

When the man and woman tried to leave, Aviles allegedly grabbed the woman by her jacket and pressed her against the door, preventing her escape. He also allegedly held the handgun to her head and body before ordering her to leave.

Both workers eventually left the home safely, and no injuries were reported.

Officers established a perimeter, and a crisis negotiator team responded. Residents were ordered to shelter in place while police attempted to coax Aviles out of the home.

Aviles came out of the front door and was taken into custody without incident. 

He faces charges of aggravated unlawful restraint and two counts of aggravated assault. He was taken to the Will County Jail.

New findings from investigation

Further investigation revealed that the handgun Aviles used was a "replica toy," according to Joliet police.  

Authorities said no evidence was found to support Aviles' claim of theft by the workers.

 Further details haven't been released.