Audio Tech Owner Plotted Attack, Extortion Of Ex-Employee: Police

ORLAND PARK, IL — Three men were charged with aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery after police said they coordinated an attack on a former employee who now owns a surveillance camera company.

According to Orland Park Police, Joseph Cartolano, 50, of Joliet, and James Paul, 39, of Lansing, recruited, Khristaan Hillard, 51, of Markham, to carry out the attack.

Cartolano owns Orland Park's Audio Tech, 15341 S. 70th Ct., an automotive technology store specializing in radar detectors, car alarms, remote starters, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, according to the company's website. Paul is an Audio Tech employee, and Hillard is a friend of Paul's, according to police.

Police said the three plotted to extort $50,000 from a former Audio Tech employee who now owns a company that specializes in the installation of surveillance cameras for residential and commercial properties.

Police said Hillard contacted the man posing as a customer and arranged for a Sept. 9 camera consultation at a property on Wolf Road. As the man inspected the property, police said Hillard attacked him with pepper spray, threw him to the ground and began punching him.

According to police, Hillard then grabbed the man's wallet, car keys and cellphone, accusing him of stealing from his former employer, Cartolano.

Hillard identified himself to the man as Cartolano’s business partner and demanded $50,000, threatening to harm the man and his family if he didn't bring the money to the Audio Tech store, police said.

Hillard ordered the man to stand and struck him again before pulling out a knife, police said. The man fled into a cornfield before flagging down a passing motorist who called 911.

Police responded to a call of an armed robbery at the same address that night. According to police, officers found the man with injuries to his head and body and took him to a nearby hospital, where he told authorities what happened.

Days after the attack, the man continued to receive threatening messages from Hillard demanding the money be dropped off, police said.

Orland Park detectives said they located Hillard living at Motel Lee, 1234 Lincoln Ave., in Schererville, Indiana, and he was arrested with help from Schererville police on Sept. 16. Hillard waived his right to an extradition hearing, and police brought him back to Orland Park on Sept. 21, charging him with armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping.

Police said the car Hillard drove during the attack was registered to Paul. And, according to police, Hillard met Cartolano at Audio Tech before the attack; Cartolano followed Hillard to the meeting place and stood by while the attack happened.

Cartolano and Paul were arrested at Audio Tech on Tuesday and charged with armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping and intimidation, police said. On Thursday, they were taken to the Bridgeview Courthouse, where a judge ordered them held without bond.

Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.