On May 21, 2018, at approximately 1:00AM, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence in the 18500 block of West Main Street, Warren Township, for a home invasion.  

Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and found three people at the residence were robbed of their cellular phones and money by three individuals, two were armed with handguns.  One of the victims was struck in the face with a firearm by one of the male offenders.  The victim’s injuries did not require hospitalization.

Two of the offenders were described as being white or Hispanic males, both approximately 5’05,” in their late 20’s or early 30’s.  One of the offenders was described as being a white or Hispanic female in her 20’s.  

Sheriff’s Detectives conducted an investigation and determined one of the individuals who committed the home invasion was Laura R. Townsend, 22, of the 10700 block of West 17th Street, Benton Township.  On May 24, 2018, Sheriff’s Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Townsend for Home Invasion (Class X Felony) and Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony).  

Townsend was arrested at her residence on May 29, 2018, by the Lake County Sheriff’s Warrants Team in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service-Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (USMS-GLRFTF).  She was arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail.  

Sheriff’s Detectives continue to investigate, attempting to identify the other two involved.  They fled from the scene in a tan SUV, possibly a GMC.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Section at 847-377-4250, Lake County CrimeStoppers at 847-662-2222, or submit an online crime-tip at: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/sheriff

Townsend remains held in the Lake County Jail on $200,000.00 bail.  She is due in court on May 31, 2018 at 9:00AM, in courtroom C-120.

Sheriff Curran reminds the public the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.