Kansas man charged with stalking Elgin ex-girlfriend

A Kansas man is being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bond after being charged with stalking and attacking his former girlfriend in Elgin, authorities said.

Blake C. Durbin, 45, of Hearthstone Drive in Maize, Kansas, was officially charged with aggravated domestic battery — strangling, stalking and two counts of domestic battery following his arrest on July 10, authorities said.

Police said Durbin arrived in Elgin on July 8 in an attempt to locate his former girlfriend, who fled Kansas to get away from him.

Police said Durbin located the woman and, on July 9th, spent the night in his vehicle in the 200 block of South Edison Street.

That morning, Durbin confronted the victim at a residence on the block, and the victim attempted to end the conversation, but an argument ensued. Durbin allegedly grabbed the victim by the back of the neck and placed both hands around her throat, police said, making it difficult for her to breath.

The defendant then allegedly threatened to stab the victim, but fled when the victim’s friend arrived on the scene.

The next day, the defendant was observed driving by the house on South Edison Street at about 10 a.m. Police said Durbin was also seen pulling up in front of the residence and shouting the victim’s name and making reference to the occupant not being able to keep the victim from him.

The Elgin Police Department was notified immediately, police said, and patrol units located the defendant and arrested him.

Durbin appeared in Kane County bond court on Wednesday and was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail.