Chicago Man Arraigned in Highland Park Home Invasion Case

A Chicago man has been arraigned on a 20-count indictment for his involvement in a 2011 Highland Park home invasion.

A Lake County Grand Jury on December 31 handed down the several-charge indictment to 52-year-old Michael A. Bass, who was arraigned on the charges - which included four counts of armed robbery and four counts of home invasion - Thursday.

According to the Lake County News-Sun, Bass pleaded not guilty to the charges in court.

The home invasion allegedly occurred on December 30, 2011 shortly before 9:55 p.m., when Highland Park police responded to a call on Winona Road and discovered two masked male offenders had fired shots through a glass patio door at the rear of the home and then physically restrained three residents inside. The suspects took jewelry and watches before fleeing in an unknown vehicle.

Bass became a suspect and was interviewed at the Illinois River Correctional Facility, where he is currently serving a 7-year sentence for a Cook County burglary which occurred in June 2012.

A release from the city of Highland Park indicated police “are continuing their investigation in an effort to identify the second offender involved in this violent crime.”

Other charges Bass faces are six counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of unlawful possession of weapons by felon, aggravated discharge of a firearm, armed habitual criminal, use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense and theft.

Bass will remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Illinois River Correctional Facility until his next Lake County court appearance on February 23.