Arlington Heights man charged in 7½-hour standoff ordered held in jail

The 50-year-old man charged with home invasion and aggravated discharge of a firearm stemming from a 7½-hour standoff at an Arlington Heights residence last week will remain in jail while awaiting trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Alexander R. Pacino of Arlington Heights faces a mandatory six to 30 years in prison if convicted of the charges, which allege he illegally entered the home while its residents were present Thursday morning and fired a gunshot.

During a court hearing Tuesday in Rolling Meadows, Cook County Judge Thomas E. Nowinski cited Pacino “entering a home that was occupied and discharging a weapon” and multiple prior felony arrests as reasons he should remain behind bars while the case is pending.

Authorities say the standoff began Thursday morning after police officers responded to a 911 call of a burglary in progress in the 800 block of North Chestnut Avenue.

Homeowners reported they had locked themselves in a second-floor bedroom after a man wearing dark clothing and a hoodie had entered the residence through an open overhead garage door, police said.

Officers went into the home and led the residents to safety while others observed a man, later identified as Pacino, attempting to flee through a window, according to police. He subsequently retreated back inside the home where he held authorities at bay for more than seven hours, officials said.

Pacino surrendered peacefully after police were able to put him in communication with one of his family members, authorities said.

Police said the homeowners were unharmed and, despite nearby schools being placed on a soft lockdown, there was no threat to the broader community during the standoff.

Pacino is scheduled to return to court March 20.