Chicago man charged in Wheeling assault, home invasion

Police arrested a Chicago man Thursday on charges he robbed and sexually assaulted a woman in a Wheeling home May 23.

Wheeling Deputy Police Chief John Teevans said Matthew Schaffer, 32, entered the home in the 700 block of Prestwick Lane, near Milwaukee Avenue and Hintz Road, through an unlocked patio door about 4 a.m. and displayed a small black handgun. The 30-year-old woman handed over money and jewelry, then was sexually assaulted, according to police.

Before the assault, Schaffer handcuffed the woman, grabbed her by the throat and held a gun to her head, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Maria McCarthy said in court Friday.

The following day Schaffer tried to sell the woman's watch at a Chicago pawnshop. Police were able to match Schaffer's DNA with DNA found at the woman's home, Teevans said.

"We're just glad this guy is off the streets," he said.

The victim was in town to celebrate her mom's birthday and was staying at a friend's home, McCarthy said.

Schaffer - who has no prior record - was arrested Thursday at his Chicago home in the 2000 block of Shakespeare Lane on charges of home invasion and criminal sexual assault. Police found a handgun in Schaeffer's car. They also found a pair of pantyhose and rubber gloves at his parents' house in Highland Park, where Schaffer was living before recently moving to Chicago, according to McCarthy.

When Schaffer was being processed at the Wheeling police station, he told police "I should've killed that girl," McCarty said.

Schaffer, who was being held on $4 million bond, is scheduled to appear before Judge Kay Hanlon on June 24 at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.

Daily Herald Staff Reporter Barbara Vitello contributed to this article.