advertisement

Lisle woman says police, steel pole saved her life from intruder

Monica Liszka says she's alive today thanks to a steel plumbing pole and the timely arrival of Lisle police.

The 59-year-old Lisle woman was home alone early Saturday morning when, police say, a man attempted to break into her residence in the 4400 block of Yender Avenue.

A steel pole Liszka says she bought at Home Depot because "I live by myself and I thought I heard somebody break into my house last year" was propped between her front door and the bottom of a stairway, keeping the would-be intruder at bay long enough for her to call for help.

Responding officers shot and killed the man in an ensuing confrontation, police said.

On Sunday, DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen identified the man as Anthony Aguilar, 35, of Lisle. Aguilar, according to the coroner's office, died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the right lower chest.

"There has been no indication that the home invasion was anything but a random act," Lisle police said in a news release.

Liszka, who has lived in the house for about 30 years, said she was asleep on a couch near the front door at about 5:13 a.m. Saturday when she heard footsteps on her porch.

"He ran up the stairs first. It was loud and fast," she said Sunday.

Then she heard violent kicking against the front door. Unable to get past the steel pole, Liszka said, the intruder went to the back door. she said he first broke open the storm door, then began kicking at the main door, which was propped closed by another pole.

"I think he was a strong guy, he was kicking so violently," she said. "I just thought that if he broke into my house he was going to kill me. He was so violently trying to get into my house."

Liszka called 911 and, following a dispatcher's instructions, locked herself in a bathroom as the man kept up his efforts to get into the home.

In addition to trying to kick in the doors, the man broke into her detached garage, and broke several windows in her vehicle, she said.

Eventually police arrived, and Liszka said she could hearing shouting between the man and officers, but couldn't understand the words.

"The police on the phone told me (officers) are at your residence right now, but you need to stay in that bathroom locked," she said. "Then I heard this shouting and 'pop pop pop'."

After several minutes, police told her she could come out. When she looked out the window, "(Aguilar) was laying by my back door, and his feet were facing the yard."

Liszka, who said she does not know Aguilar, praised police for their quick response and their demeanor over the phone.

"They were absolutely wonderful on the phone," she said.

The three officers involved were not identified, but police said the officer who fired the gun has been a Lisle police officer for three years. The other two have been officers for nine and 19 years.

Authorities said Sunday the shooting remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, DuPage County State's Attorney, and DuPage County Sheriff Forensic Investigation Unit.

According to police, Aguilar was armed, but they have not specified what type of weapon he had. Police say officers first attempted to detain Aguilar with a Taser, but it was not effective.

"The Lisle Police Department understands that this is a tragic event for all of those involved," police said in a statement Sunday. "The department's thoughts are with the victim, officers, their families and the Aguilar family."

  Monica Liszka said a man who was shot by police while trying to break into her home early Saturday also broke into her garage and shattered car windows. Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.