Two charged in brazen St. Charles home invasion

Two parolees who police say forced their way into a St. Charles home with guns drawn Tuesday morning after asking the residents if they needed help with Christmas lights each sit behind bars on $1.5 million bond.

Redrell W. Bradley, 33, of the 1N400 block of Park Boulevard in Glen Ellyn and Sam Aunner, 28, of the 2900 block of North Laramie in Chicago were chased down by police after attempting to flee a home on the 1500 block of Adams Avenue in St. Charles after tying up two victims inside during the home invasion, police said.

Authorities allege the two men, who were on parole for felonies, pushed their way into the home, tied up two residents in their 20s and struck them in the face during what police describe as a random break-in.

A third roommate in the basement of the rental home Tuesday morning heard his friends say “Don't shoot” as the men broke into the home, police said. He called 911 while sneaking out of a basement window.

“It was fantastic that he had the presence of mind to leave the residence immediately when he heard what was going on, call 911 and continue to communicate with the Tri-Com dispatchers,” McCurtain said.

Police said Bradley and Aunner tried to make off with the victims' cell phones and an undisclosed amount of money through a field behind the home but couldn't outrun officers who had surrounded the home.

Police said the man who sneaked out of the basement hid in the backyard and stayed on the line with dispatchers until squad cars arrived a few minutes later.

Police believe one of the suspects may be connected to a second armed robbery that occurred Friday night in the same neighborhood, when a resident was held up in his driveway and pistol-whipped, said St. Charles Commander Jerry Gatlin.

“We don't believe there is any connection between the offenders and our victims,” Gatlin said. “We are working some other leads, attempting to round up somebody else we believe might be loosely involved with this. It is a very active investigation at this point.”

One weapon was found in a field behind the home Tuesday, but the St. Charles Fire Department's dive squad was unable to find the second gun while searching a creek behind the home, McCurtain said. Investigators also searched Wednesday in the wooded area and field behind the home and plan on continuing the search Thursday.

Both men have been charged with home invasion, armed robbery, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and aggravated unlawful restraint and are being held at the Kane County jail on $1.5 million bond.

Bradley had been convicted of attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery and multiple drug charges, while Aunner had been convicted of aggravated battery with a firearm, according to police.

The Illinois Department of Corrections issued parole violation warrants for both men after hearing of the home invasion.

Police canvassed the neighborhood Tuesday and found a vehicle connected to the suspects, which was impounded. A number of items from the vehicle were taken as evidence, which police believe may help them tie the suspects to a second crime.

The armed robbery Friday occurred on the 1500 block of Williams Avenue when a resident who had just returned from shopping after work was approached by a man in black with his face partially covered. The man stuck a black handgun in his face and demanded his wallet and items in the car before pistol-whipping him and taking off on foot with items from the car, Gatlin said.

“This is a neighborhood that nothing ever happens in,” Gatlin said. “Armed robberies and people getting robbed at gunpoint it's very unusual.”

The victims of Tuesday's break-in were treated at the scene for head lacerations and advised medical personnel that they would seek additional care on their own.

Police from the Kane County sheriff's office, Geneva and Batavia assisted at the scene.

St. Charles police are working with other area departments that are investigating similar crimes.

Anyone with information on either case is encouraged to call Cmdr. Jarry Gatlin at (630) 443-3739.