Christmas Eve turned violent in Joliet after police say a 37-year-old man forced his way into his girlfriend's apartment, leaving several family members injured, including her 13-year-old daughter. Manuel Guerrero is now facing a felony home invasion charge, along with domestic battery and other counts, after officers responded to a late-night domestic disturbance that ended with Guerrero in handcuffs.
Officers were called to an apartment in the 600 block of Ruby Street around 11:20 p.m., where they found multiple people with visible injuries, according to CBS News.
How police say the break-in unfolded
The confrontation started earlier in the evening at a gathering in Elwood and escalated during the drive back to Joliet, where Guerrero allegedly hit the woman and tossed her phone into the backseat of the car, The Herald-News reports. Once they arrived at the Ruby Street apartment, the woman went inside and locked the door. Guerrero then allegedly broke a window in the front door, reached through to unlock it and forced his way in, pushing past another woman who tried to block him, according to the outlet.
What officers say happened inside
After Guerrero entered the apartment, the victim used pepper spray on him, but he allegedly responded by punching and choking her and then grabbing the canister, FOX 32 Chicago reports. Police say he used the spray on the woman, her 63-year-old mother and her 13-year-old daughter. Officers separated everyone at the scene and took Guerrero into custody without further incident.
Charges and court exposure
The Will County State's Attorney has approved charges that include home invasion, a Class X felony, along with domestic battery, battery and criminal damage to property, according to The Herald-News. Guerrero was processed at the Joliet Police Department and then transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, as reported by CBS News.
What a Class X home invasion charge means
Under Illinois law, home invasion is a Class X felony that carries a prison sentence of not less than six years and not more than 30 years, according to the Illinois General Assembly. The statute allows additional time when a firearm is involved. Class X convictions typically bring some of the toughest prison exposure under state law, with very limited room for probation.
Jail records reviewed by Patch show Guerrero was booked into the Will County jail in the early hours of Christmas Day. The outlet reports he had prior stints in county custody in 2018, 2020 and 2022 and that he was not released under Illinois' SAFE-T Act.
