$500,000 BOND SET IN GLENDALE HEIGHTS HOME INVASION

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Glendale Heights Chief of Police Michael Marron announced today that a $500,000 bond has been set for a Woodridge man charged with home invasion.  The charges stem from an incident in which Gregory Martin, 25, (d.o.b. 06/28/1981) of ­­­­­­2430 S. Wolfe Drive and an accomplice allegedly entered a Glendale Heights home in the early morning hours while the family slept.

            At approximately 5 a.m. on July 17, 2006 one of the victims awoke to find two men standing in the hallway of the home.  One of the men was armed with a gun while the other was armed with a knife.  Both men disguised their identities.  It is alleged that the assailants, once discovered, ordered the family onto the bed in the master bedroom and instructed them to be quiet.  The assailants then allegedly fled the scene when one of the victims called police on their cellular phone.  Martin was apprehended a short time later by Glendale Heights Police.  Martin’s alleged accomplice is still at large.

            “I am very pleased with the bond set by Judge Sexton this morning,” commented Birkett.  “The defendant in this case is alleged to have victimized this family where they feel most secure, in their own home.  This type of brazen attack will not go unpunished and I intend to prosecute Mr. Martin to the fullest extent of the law.”

            The next court date for Martin is scheduled for August 14 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge Michael Burke.

            DuPage County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the  arrest and filing of criminal charges against Martin’s unnamed accomplice.  Any one with information regarding this case please call the Glendale Heights Police Department at (630) 260-6070 or DuPage County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 424-9119.

            State’s Attorney Birkett and Chief Marron praised the investigating officers as well as the heroic actions of the family members for their contributions that led to the arrest of Martin and reassured residents of the community stating that they should not be alarmed as this does not appear to be a random act.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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