Homer Glen Man Attacked Victim With Broken Glass, Stool During Home Invasion: Prosecutors

HOMER GLEN, IL — Pre-trial release was denied Thursday for a Homer Glen man after a home invasion in Darien led to a high-speed chase and then a barricade situation in Homer Glen, prosecutors said.

Michael Lahey, 32, of Homer Glen, appeared in court Thursday and is charged with two counts of home invasion, one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer and one count of misdemeanor theft.

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According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Darien Police officers were called to Sequoia Lane at 2:23 p.m. on Aug. 4 for a call from a homeowner saying someone broke into his house.

The victim heard a sound like breaking glass and went to investigate, according to the news release. The homeowner saw an unknown man, now identified as Lahey, standing outside his home, officials said.

Lahey threw a piece of broken glass at the victim, which caused a significant laceration to his arm and a cut to his torso, the State's Attorney's Office said. Lahey is then accused of entering the home through the broken front window and taking the victim's cell phone.

Lahey also threw a stool at the victim, hitting him, according to a news release. The victim was able to escape through the back door of the home. He was taken to a local hospital for his injuries.

The victim also alerted officers to a Ford Bronco headed westbound on Sequoia Lane at a high speed, according to police. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and began pursuit of the Ford, the DuPage State's Attorney's Office said.

During the pursuit, Lahey drove the car over a curb, through a parking lot, reached speeds exceeding 75 mph in 35 mph zones, sped through a construction zone while workers were present and drove into oncoming traffic on multiple occasions, the State's Attorney's Office said.

Officers chased the Ford for 11 miles into Will County before the pursuit was terminated out of safety concerns.

Police said the chase was ended near Bell Road and 143rd Street in Homer Glen. Shortly after, police said law enforcement found the man entering his home in the 13000 block of Maverick Trail in Homer Glen. A shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby residents, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

According to the State's Attorney's Office, members of DuPage County MERIT SWAT and Will County Sheriff SWAT Teams responded to Lahey's home, and at 6:54 p.m., after obtaining a search warrant for the residence, they took Lahey into custody.

"The type of aggressive, unpredictable and violent behavior that shattered an innocent man's sense of safety and security in his own home and sent him to the hospital with serious injuries, as alleged in this case, has no place in civilized society and will not be tolerated in DuPage County," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. "When a home invasion occurs, the aftermath has a crippling effect on more than just the initial victim. This type of intrusion into our communities and homes can send waves of fear throughout the entire community, leaving everyone on edge and living in fear for their personal safety. The victim in this case has a long road to recovery ahead of him and I wish him well as he recovers both physically and emotionally."

"It was sad to hear the rare call of a home invasion in Darien and we wish the victim a speedy recovery," Darien Police Chief Greg Thomas said. "Though tragic. I am very proud of the investigation and arrest of the alleged offender. Officers did a great job in the investigation leading to the arrest and officers making the arrest were able to do so without incident. The Darien Police Department thanks all the assisting police agencies as well as DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their legal guidance and ongoing support of law enforcement."

Lahey's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31, in front of Judge Mia McPherson.