A Highland Park man has been charged after he threatened a family with kidnapping and lit a garbage can on fire, according to police.
Highland Park police said they have charged Eduardo Aragon, 25, of the 1600 block of 2nd Street, with arson, intimidation and harassment through electronic means, after he was arrested over the weekend.
Police said they responded on April 28 to the 200 block of Roger Williams Avenue after a family reported receiving threats and a suspicious fire was set in a garbage can.
The homeowner told police that they had received threats of the kidnapping of a family member unless the homeowner paid $80,000. The family received several threatening text messages over the next few days that led police to suspect Aragon as the source. He was taken into custody Saturday.
Lake County prosecutors filed to have Aragon detained until trial, and a judge granted the petition on Monday.