On December 29, 2015 at 12:30 a.m. Elmhurst police received a call for a possible man with a gun at 165 E. North Ave. While details were limited, a third party complainant revealed that a person inside of the house was holding his cousin against his will.
The victim told the third person that he was injured with cuts and that the subject was armed with a gun. A command post in the area of Third and Indiana was established and a perimeter was formed surrounding the home. It was determined that the second floor unit would offer many challenges to safely make contact with occupants.
Police attempted to make phone contact with the people inside of the home with negative results. Police activated a Level 1 ILEAS call-out and police officers from Hillside, Berkeley, Oakbrook, Villa Park, and DuPage County arrived. An additional officer from Bellwood responded as well. The outside agencies were used to outer perimeter and shut down North Ave. Elmhurst police negotiators were activated and responded to the scene. After some time, the “hostage” was released while the offender was observed still holding a large knife. After discussions with negotiators, the suspect exited the home and was taken into custody at 3:30 a.m.
Subsequent investigation revealed that there was no gun and the victim was not being held against his will. The suspect, Elliot B House, M/W Age 32, was charged with Domestic Battery and was transported to DuPage County Jail.
