Burlington man charged in attack on neighbor

A Burlington Township man is facing felony charges for punching his neighbor in the face with a handgun, police said Tuesday.

Kane County Sheriff's deputies responded to the incident shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday at the corner of North Main Street and French Road in Burlington Township.

The victim told police he had been awakened to the sound of a neighbor arguing loudly with a woman in a nearby backyard. After yelling for the couple to quiet down, the victim said the he was told to "shut up" and then threatened with a gun, according to a police report.

Minutes later, police said, the victim answered a knock on his front door and was punched in the face with a 9 mm handgun by the neighbor.

A brief struggle ensued, and the victim and a second witness were able to retrieve the weapon and close the door.

Officers arrived to find Michael E. Taylor, 19, of the 300 block of North Main Street, driving at a "high rate of speed" through his own front yard, police said.

Taylor was stopped in a nearby parking lot and charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, and misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon.

Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said the victim, a 22-year-old man, received minor injuries to his face. Police said a Smith & Wesson handgun was recovered from his home.

According to a police report, Taylor denied striking the victim.

Taylor posted a $7,500 cash bond Monday and was released from the Kane County jail. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 13.