Warrant Issued for Suspect in Oak Park Home Invasion, Housesitter Assault

Evidence from the scene of an Oak Park home invasion May 21, in which a woman was assaulted, bound and robbed, revealed a connection to a 43-year-old convicted felon.

An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for Mark Barnes, whose current address is unknown, according to the Village of Oak Park.

Police describe Barnes as an African-American male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 190 pounds. He was convicted of criminal sexual assault with a firearm in 1997, but he was released in April from Illinois Department of Corrections custody. His last known address was in Maywood, the village reported.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Barnes is urged to call the Oak Park Police Department at 708-386-3800. Anonymous tips may be made by calling 708.434.1636 or online at oak-park.us/police.

The 27-year-old Chicago resident who was attacked during the home invasion in the 1000 block of South Oak Park Avenue was housesitting for a coworker.

She told police a man knocked on the door, asked for a name she didn’t recognize and then left. He returned minutes later and tried to engage her in conversation, the village reported. The woman said when she tried to close the door, the man forced his way inside and showed her a handgun.

The woman was assaulted, bound and robbed of $25 cash. She was able to free herself and call 911.

“Solving this crime is a priority,” said Oak Park Police Chief Rick C. Tanksley in a statement. “Fundamental investigation techniques and patience have given us a solid suspect. Now, we need to find and bring him in to ensure that no one else has to endure the trauma of such a crime at his hands.”

Photo provided by the Village of Oak Park.