I am writing to alert you of a recent home invasion that occurred on the 2600 block of N. Mildred Avenue early in the morning yesterday on Saturday, March 7th.  The assailant was apprehended in the act by the Chicago Police Department.

At about 2 am Saturday morning, the intruder, 23-year-old Joseph Benson of suburban Indian Head Park,  banged on the back door of a residence, claiming he was a police officer and demanding to be let in.  The homeowner and his upstairs neighbor each immediately called 911. The intruder forced himself into the residence where he proceeded to grapple with the 41-year old male homeowner.

Within moments of the offender entering the residence, the local beat cars of the Chicago Police Department arrived at the front and back doors and  arrested the offender in the act.  This fast response was due to the extra resources that Commander Voulgaris has put on the midnight shift.  

 The homeowner was not hurt, and the offender was taken into custody.  The offender appeared to be highly intoxicated when he was arrested.   Bond was set at $150,000.

The assailant (shown below) has been charged with three Class X felony charges of home invasion and one count of impersonating a police officer.  

Joseph Benson of Indian Head Park was arrested on three counts of home invasion and a count of impersonation of a police officer

I encourage any community member who may have seen this person in the neighborhood or has any information to contact me directly at 773-348-9500 or call Area 3 Detective Jenson or Detective Takaki, who can be reached at 312-744-8261.

The offender's first court date will be March 13 at 9 am at the courthouse located at Belmont and Western. I strongly encourage neighbors to participate in court advocacy with me by joining me in court on March 13 to support the victim and send the message that crime is not welcome in our community.  Please email my office at [email protected] if you would like to join us in court. I'd like to be able to contact you directly in case there is a change of time or date.