Elgin police catch home invasion suspect

Elgin police captured a recent parolee Thursday they believe responsible for a home invasion this week in which two mentally handicapped women were beaten.

Police Lt. Glenn Theriault said officers arrested Byron Broger this afternoon in an apartment in the 0-100 block of Lyle Avenue, located just blocks from where the attack occurred.

Authorities earlier had issued a warrant for the 26-year-old Broger in connection with the attack at 4 a.m. Wednesday in the 1600 block of Maple Street.

The warrant charged Broger with two counts of both home invasion and aggravated assault. Home invasion, the most serious charge, carries a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years.

"I'm proud of the manner in which the Elgin Police Department responded and investigated this crime, and by the very next day took a dangerous individual off the street," Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda said in a statement. "This investigation encompassed multiple units within the department."

Police said Broger has a lengthy criminal history and was arrested at least 16 times for crimes ranging from assault to burglary. Court records show he's been arrested at least eight times in Elgin beginning in July 2001 for resisting a police officer.

According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, Broger was on parole after being released July 22 from the Dixon Correctional Center. He was serving a 33-month sentence for attempted burglary.

In Wednesday's attack, police say Broger knocked on the victims' door about 4 a.m. and forced his way inside after the one of the women answered. The home is on the city's west side near Larkin Avenue and McLean Boulevard.

Theriault declined to comment on whether anything was stolen or if Broger used a weapon. The victims were treated and released from a hospital, Theriault said.

Broger's bond was set at 10 percent of $300,000.

Staff writer Josh Stockinger contributed to this report.