Jeremy David Castel, 25, of Hobart, has been charged in Lake County after police allege he climbed onto the roof of his former girlfriend’s Hammond apartment building, entered part of the building through windows, and attempted to gain access to her apartment despite previously being barred from the property.

According to court documents, Hammond police responded at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Aug. 2 to the 6400 block of Kennedy Avenue after receiving a 911 hang-up call. Dispatchers reportedly heard a woman telling someone, “You broke into my window,” and repeatedly saying the name “Jeremy.”

When officers arrived, they found Castel standing on the roof of the apartment building yelling through a window and demanding to be let inside while claiming he lived there. Police said Castel had previously been served with a no-trespass order for the property in May. He climbed down from the roof and was taken into custody.

According to investigators, the woman told police Castel was her ex-boyfriend, did not live at the apartment, and was not allowed on the property. She also showed officers text messages allegedly sent by Castel around 11 p.m. the previous evening stating he was coming to her residence. Investigators said those messages supported her statement that Castel did not reside there.

The woman told officers she heard someone attempting to turn her apartment door handle before hearing her air-conditioning unit being moved. She then looked outside and saw Castel on the roof attempting to gain entry into her apartment.

Police allege Castel opened two windows leading into the apartment building’s breezeway before attempting to remove the apartment’s air-conditioning unit in an effort to gain access to the main living area, where the woman had barricaded herself. Officers reported finding the windows open and the air-conditioning unit partially removed when they examined the scene.

During the booking process, investigators asked Castel where he lived. According to the affidavit, he provided a Hobart address rather than the Hammond apartment where he had claimed to reside.

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charges filed Aug. 3, 2026:

Residential Entry — Level 6 Felony

Criminal Trespass — Class A Misdemeanor