Man shot in St. Charles Township break-in charged with burglary
A 26-year-old St. Charles man who was shot in the side by a St. Charles Township man March 17 after authorities say he broke into a home has been charged with residential burglary, authorities said Monday.
Michael G. Huston, of the 300 block of Walnut Street, who was hospitalized for five days after the break-in, also is charged with possession of burglary tools, also a felony.
He was arrested the morning of March 17 after authorities say he broke into a home on the 38W0-99 block of Mallard Lake in St. Charles Township.
The 43-year-old homeowner fired two shots with a small caliber handgun, hitting Huston once in his side after he broke into the home through a walkout basement door, Kane County Sheriff Lt. Pat Gengler said.
Huston was arrested a few blocks away and taken to Delnor Hospital in Geneva.
Gengler said last week that it appeared that the homeowner was in a state of shock after the incident.
"Like, 'Did this really happen in my house?'" Gengler said.
"He was thankful his wife and kids weren't home. The whole thing's overwhelming because you're processing so much."
The homeowner has not responded to Daily Herald interview requests.
One neighbor, who declined to give his name, said some neighbors thought of the homeowner as a "hero" over what had happened.
"The intruder is fortunate that he is still alive," the neighbor said. "Everybody in the neighborhood is happy it turned out the way it did, and nobody in that house got hurt."
Huston faces four to 15 years in prison if convicted. Probation also is an option.
Huston has yet to appear at bond call and his next court date was not immediately available.
Until Monday, Huston did not have any criminal arrests in Kane, DuPage or McHenry counties, records show.
Gengler urged residents to report strange or suspicious activity during the day, as well as at night.
"There's a lot of misconceptions out there that burglaries occur at night, in the day when people are on vacation," Gengler said. "Quite often we're seeing these happen during the day as well."