Bannockburn cops investigating town's first homicide

Tucked away in the North Shore, Bannockburn is known for its million-dollar homes with manicured lawns and quiet tree-lined streets. It's a place where violent crime is rare.

So, residents of the posh southern Lake County town were surprised to learn Friday morning a man was found shot to death on the brick driveway on a secluded cul-de-sac.

"This is supposed to be so prestige and serene. We're supposed to be above that," said longtime resident and former trustee Marv Berman.

Home to about 2,000 people, the town that typically has two or three police officers on duty at any given time, was suddenly swarming with dozens of squad cars from throughout the suburbs to assist in investigating the first murder in the community's 80-year history. The Lake County Major Crimes task force was called in to help with the investigation, in which police are releasing few details.

A "lifeless" body was discovered about 4:30 a.m. by a newspaper delivery person on Dunsinane Lane, a street with 13 homes, one of which was owned about 10 years ago by former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, Police Chief Kevin Tracz said.

Robert Montanez, 30, of the 2000 block of North 75th Avenue, Elmwood Park, died of two gunshot wounds to the head, Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said.

Police said a few homeowners in the area reported hearing "two pops" at about 3:55 a.m., Tracz said.

Officers said they believe Montanez may have been riding in a car on nearby Route 22 when an argument took place. They believe the driver pulled into the subdivision and shot Montanez in the street and drove away.

Police are not sure what prompted the slaying. "Mob, drugs, a love triangle - we don't have any idea at this point," Tracz said.

An autopsy revealed Montanez's blood alcohol level was .3 percent, nearly four times the legal limit.

Tracz does not believe Montanez had any connection to residents on the sleepy Bannockburn street.

"We're speculating that this individual had no contact with anyone in this area," he said.

That provided some comfort, some residents said.

"At least it wasn't a burglary or something," said Kim Barkemeyer, who grew up in Bannockburn and is the wife of Village President Jim Barkemeyer. "It seemed it was just convenient highway access."

Jim Barkemeyer, who has served as the community's top elected official for two and a half years, was surprised to hear of the town's first murder.

"Lets face it. It's not something that happens here," he said. Not only is the community secluded, but the street where the crime occurred is even more remote, he added. "It's isolated. It's in the middle of nowhere."