2 charged with burglarizing police officer's home

Two men have been charged in connection with a home invasion and burglary at a police officer's Spring Grove residence in 2008.

The McHenry County sheriff's office announced charges Friday against Patrick J. Anderson, 30, of Waukegan, and Chad A. Lowrance, 32, of Crystal Lake.

On Nov. 11, 2008, the officer was at home sleeping when he was awakened by his door being forced open. He confronted the two intruders, according to a sheriff's office statement. The officer sustained minor injures.

The sheriff's office investigative division received new information in August that resulted in the charges being filed against Anderson and Lowrance.

Investigators said they've also been able to link Lowrance to two additional burglaries in May and June.

It's unknown if the officer was targeted because of his occupation, or if his house was chosen at random, Sheriff Keith Nygren said in the statement.

Lowrance is charged with one count of home invasion, three counts of residential burglary and two counts of theft. Anderson is charged with one count each of home invasion and residential burglary. Both men are being held in Lake County jail on unrelated charges.