Police Catch One Suspect From Munster Home Invasion
On October 27, 2023, at approximately 1:00 PM, Munster Police officers responded to the 1400 block of Park West Circle for a reported armed home invasion, according to Munster Police.
Three people inside the residence reported at least four armed subjects made entry into
the home, bound them with zip ties and duct tape, battered them, and took several items, including money and jewelry. One of the victims was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and released. The other two victims were treated at the scene by medics.
Munster Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division learned through video surveillance that two vehicles were involved in this incident, one of which was at or near the residence multiple times in the weeks prior to the incident. Detectives were able to obtain vehicle registrations and listed them in local police databases as wanted.
Chicago Police located both vehicles at locations in the City of Chicago on November 11, 2023, and November 14, 2023, respectively. Search warrants were obtained for these vehicles and items of evidentiary value were located, with the assistance from Crime Scene Investigators with the Indiana State Police.
Evidence located in one of the vehicles led detectives to a person of interest, identified as 47-year-old Chicago resident Elkin Alberto Castillo. Detectives were later provided information from an anonymous source, after a press release was broadcasted on Chicago news outlets that identified the driver of one of the above-mentioned vehicles as Elkin Alberto Castillo. Castillo was found to have multiple warrants for his arrest in Cook County, Illinois.
Detectives learned that Castillo, an armed habitual felon, was arrested in Chicago on June 6, 2023, with a gun, outside of St. Stanislaus Church, 1351 West Evergreen. Castillo was out on bond from a previous Class X armed habitual criminal charge from an arrest in 2021. During a bail hearing, Castillo was released once again on electronic monitoring. Castillo then allegedly cut off this monitor and warrants were issued for his arrest.
Detectives worked with the Chicago Police Department’s HIST Team (Homicide Investigative Support Team) to locate Castillo. On November 26, 2023, Castillo was
located in the 3700 block of S. Honore by the HIST Team and taken into custody. Castillo was reportedly armed with a stolen handgun during this latest arrest.
Detectives went to Chicago to interview Castillo and were provided with items of evidentiary value, which were found on Castillo during his arrest by Chicago Police. Detectives presented this case to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office filed the following charges against Castillo:
Count 1: Burglary, a level 1 felony
Count 2: Burglary, a level 2 felony
Count 3: Robbery, a level 2 felony
Count 4: Armed Robbery, a level 3 felony
Count 5: Armed Robbery, a level 3 felony
Count 6: Armed Robbery, a level 3 felony
Count 7: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony
Count 8: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony
Count 9: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony
Count 10: Criminal Confinement, a level 3 felony
Castillo is currently in custody at the Cook County Jail on unrelated charges.
The Munster Police Department thanked the Chicago Police Department, Indiana State Police, Hammond Police Department, and the Merrillville ATF Field Office for their assistance in investigating this case.
Detectives are still looking for the public’s
assistance in identifying the other offenders involved. If anyone has any information on Castillo or the suspects, they can contact the Munster Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 219-836-6658 or email tnosich@munster.org. You can remain anonymous.
