Man accused of punching, choking women in Elgin home invasion

New details emerged Friday about the crimes a recent parolee is accused of committing against a pair of developmentally disabled women in Elgin.

At 4 a.m. Wednesday, Byron M. Broger, 26, whose last known address is in Rockford, rang a doorbell in the 1600 block of Maple Street, police said.

According to a synopsis of events read during bond call Friday, Broger forced his way inside when one of the women opened the door. He punched her in the face and choked her to the point that she lost consciousness. He choked the second woman as well and when she tried to call police from a cell phone, Broger punched her in the left eye, a blow that knocked her out, said Kane County Judge Bruce Lester, reading from the police synopsis.

Both women are in their 30s, police said.

Broger then took the phone and used it to call his girlfriend for a ride, the judge said.

Police arrested Broger Thursday afternoon in an apartment in the 0-100 block of Lyle Avenue, just blocks from where the attack occurred.

Authorities earlier had issued a $300,000 warrant for Broger's arrest in connection with the Elgin attack, but on Friday morning Lester raised Broger's bail to $500,000, meaning he needs $50,000 cash to get out of jail while the trial is pending.

"These are serious crimes involving victims who are among the most vulnerable people in our society," Lester said before setting bail.

Police said Broger has an extensive 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 starting in July 2001 for resisting a police officer.

He has also served three stints in prison, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Broger was most recently sentenced to 33 months in prison after a 2009 attempted burglary conviction.

Broger, whose last known address is in the 700 block of West State Street, began serving his sentence in October at Dixon Correctional Center.

He was released on parole July 22 on credits he earned for good behavior.

Broger is due in court Sept. 2 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Home invasion, the most serious charge, carries a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years.

Because he has other felony convictions in his background, Broger may qualify for extended time.