Joliet – A Joliet man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after police said he threatened two people with a gun at his home Thursday afternoon.

After the man’s arrest, investigators determined that the handgun used in the incident was a replica of a toy, a Joliet police news release said.

According to the news release, police responded to the 500 block of Irving Street around 12:45 p.m. for a report of a disturbance involving a handgun.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a man and woman who reported being threatened with a handgun during a house cleaning appointment by the homeowner, later identified as 46-year-old Erik Aviles, police said.

Aviles had hired the cleaning service through an online platform and the workers arrived at his home around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, police said.

Toward the end of the appointment, Aviles reportedly became angry and accused the man and woman of stealing, police said.

“It is believed Aviles retrieved a handgun from a nearby couch and pointed it at the male victim. As the man and woman attempted to leave, Aviles allegedly grabbed the woman by her jacket and pushed her against the door with his arm to prevent her from escaping,” the police news release said.

Aviles is also accused of holding the gun to the woman’s head and body before ordering her to leave the apartment, police said. Both victims eventually escaped the home safely, police said.

Officers on scene established a perimeter around the residence and the Joliet Police Department SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team were called. At this time, a shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby residents.

The crisis negotiator made contact with Aviles from the street and SWAT team members responded to the door, Joliet police Sgt. said Dwayne English.

“A man came to the door and surrendered peacefully. He was taken into custody and officers conducted a security check of the home,” English said.

Aviles was taken to the Will County Jail and charged with aggravated unlawful oppression and aggravated assault, police said.

No evidence was found to support Avile’s claim of theft, police said.