A Peoria man was taken into custody early Thursday after allegedly breaking into a family’s home and threatening the residents, including a 5-year-old boy, with a shotgun. Police say the suspect, identified as Dion Williams, 27, was arrested following a violent struggle that left the victims shaken but physically safe.

According to Peoria police, the incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. near 87th Avenue and Mountain View Road. Williams, along with at least one unidentified accomplice, allegedly forced entry into the home while the occupants were awake and watching television. Investigators say the suspects attempted to rob the residents, using the pretense of being law enforcement officers to gain control of the situation.

Inside the house were a man, his fiancée, another woman, and her 5-year-old stepson. The man and his fiancée were in the master bedroom when the two suspects burst in, pointing a pistol-grip shotgun at them. According to the arrest report, the intruders ordered the couple to lie face down on the bed while threatening them with violence.

After securing the first two victims, the suspects entered an adjacent room where the other woman and the young child were sleeping. They demanded that both lie face down on the floor. The men claimed to be with the “Peoria police” and insisted they were looking for money, according to the report. The suspects then began restraining the male victim with duct tape, further escalating the tension inside the home.

As one of the suspects bound the man, a struggle ensued. Police said the male resident managed to grab hold of the shotgun, and in the light from the television, he got a clear view of Williams’ face. During the fight, Williams reportedly dropped the firearm, allowing the fiancée to flee to the bathroom with her cellphone and call 911.

The confrontation quickly intensified. The second suspect fled the home as the fight continued into the hallway, where the resident tore chunks of hair from Williams’ head, officers said. The scuffle eventually moved to the staircase, where the man managed to push Williams down the steps. Williams then exited the home through the same sliding glass door he had entered moments earlier.

When police arrived, they found pieces of hair scattered on the stairs, along with an unloaded shotgun and a single shoe believed to belong to one of the intruders. Officers later matched the shoe to one Williams was wearing at the time of his arrest. Authorities also observed abrasions on Williams’ face and back and noted visible patches on his scalp where hair had been forcibly removed.

Williams was found hiding near a neighbor’s house shortly after the 911 call was made. He was taken into custody without further incident. Officers noted that the male resident still had duct tape stuck to his head and visible bruising on his face, shoulders, and back. No serious injuries were reported for the other occupants, including the child.

A search of the neighborhood failed to locate the second suspect, who remains at large. Police have not released a detailed description of the unidentified man. Investigators said it was not immediately clear if anything was stolen during the attempted robbery, though the residents were understandably traumatized.

Williams was booked into jail on multiple charges, including armed robbery, burglary, and kidnapping. Police also confirmed that he has prior arrests for armed robbery and possession of marijuana. Authorities are continuing their investigation and are asking anyone with information about the second suspect to contact the Peoria Police Department or Silent Witness.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers residents face during home invasions and the quick actions that can make the difference between life and death. Despite the terrifying ordeal, the family’s cooperation and swift call to police helped lead to Williams’ capture within minutes of the attack.