Bartlett man charged in home invasion
A Bartlett man is accused of breaking into an elderly woman's house, exposing himself, then punching her and knocking her down two flights of stairs as he fled the scene.
Michael Corbett, 45, of the 900 block of South Castlewood Lane, is charged with home invasion, residential burglary and aggravated battery.
DuPage County Prosecutor Nick Catizone said Friday that Corbett entered the 82-year-old victim's home through an open garage door around 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2010, as she took out her garbage. He said she returned to find Corbett seated at her dining room table exposing himself.
Prosecutors said the woman was hospitalized for three days after Corbett punched her and knocked her down two flights of stairs before pulling up his pants and fleeing the scene.
“If these allegations are proven true, Mr. Corbett's actions shattered the security his victim is entitled to in her own home,” State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Friday. “Everyone has the right to feel safe in their own home.”
Catizone said authorities caught up with Corbett after he made an “almost identical” attempt Wednesday at a different home in the Cook County part of Bartlett.
In that case, authorities said, Corbett again tried to enter through an open garage, but he found an interior door locked as a female resident arrived home. He was arrested a few blocks away.
Catizone said Corbett ended up giving a full confession. Police also found that he was wearing no underwear beneath his pants, and had in his possession strips of tape, which he planned to use to cover the mouth and eyes of a female victim, Catizone said.
Corbett appeared Friday before DuPage Judge Michael Wolfe, who set his bail at $750,000, meaning he would need $75,000 to be released. A woman who identified herself as Corbett's wife told the judge he has Parkinson's disease.
After hearing the charges, Corbett told Wolfe, “I have no recollection of any of that.”
Corbett's next court appearance is May 9 in front of Judge Kathryn Creswell.