Wanted Mundelein Man Threatened To Jump Off Balcony Before Arrest

VERNON HILLS, IL — A wanted Mundelein man was arrested Monday after threatening to jump from a Vernon Hills apartment building when authorities forced their way inside to serve an arrest warrant. Francisco J. Pina, 18, of the 300 block of Longwood Terrace, Mundelein, was wanted on a failure to appear arrest warrant for three counts of child pornography, aggravated battery, manufacturing/delivery of cannabis, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, stemming from a Mundelein Police Department investigation, according to a release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Members of the Lake County Sheriff's Office Warrants Team developed information Pina was trying to avoid being arrested by staying with a relative in the 1100 block of Museum Boulevard, Vernon Hills, the release said.

On Monday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Team and the U.S. Marshals Service - Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force found out Pina was inside an apartment on the 6th floor at the Vernon Hill's complex, according to the release. Authorities said Pina refused to open the door and members of the warrants team forced entry into the apartment.

According to the release, Pina went to the balcony and threatened to jump from the 6th floor if authorities got any closer to him. Pina sat down on the railing while threatening to jump, and team members negotiated with him for 45 minutes until he came off the railing, walked back inside, and surrendered peacefully, the release said.

An AR-15 rifle was located in Pina’s possession inside the apartment, along with cannabis which was packaged for delivery. An AR-15 rifle was located in Pina's possession inside the apartment, along with cannabis, already packaged for delivery, officials said. Members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group were called to the apartment to continue the weapon/drug investigation. Vernon Hills police were also on site to help during the incident, according to the release.

According to the sheriff's office, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following additional charges for Pina:

• Unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver: Felony
• Unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm): Misdemeanor

Pina remains at the Lake County Jail awaiting a Tuesday morning court hearing.