2 people arrested after elderly man bound with zip ties and robbed in Lake County

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man and a woman after one of them allegedly posed as a police officer and stole several items from the home of a disabled elderly man. The incident occurred just after noon on May 12. Marvin Bottom Jr. was in his mobile home in Lake County when, according to an affidavit, a woman who previously worked for him came to his door and posed as a police officer in an attempt to arrest him as a convicted felon for possessing a weapon. “And when I went to sit down, she said, ‘I want you to stand up because I’m a police officer,'” Bottom said. “I said you’re not a police officer. You stole money from me.” According to the police report, that woman was identified as Kayla Berlinski. Bottom said Berlinski had previously stolen money from his home after hiring her for a job. When he reached for his phone to call for help, Berlinski pushed his head to the ground, according to Bottom. Then, investigators say, a man named James Roher came into the house and tied Bottom’s hands behind his back with zip ties. Roher then threw two metal shelves over his legs so he couldn’t move. “I was scared to death,” he said. “She kept turning around and saying we have to go.” According to Bottom, Roher and Berlinski stole about $1,000 in cash, a .40-caliber handgun and several electronic devices. Bottom said he was left handcuffed on the floor for two hours before being found by his handler. Fortunately, he had cameras around his home that helped investigators identify Berlinski and Roher. According to the report, Berlinski could be seen leaving the house with a gray bag while Roher walked out with what appeared to be electronic tablets. Both were arrested and face several charges, including armed burglary, kidnapping and grand theft. Berlinski was arrested on May 13, and Rohrer was arrested on May 14, last Tuesday.