Man charged with attempted murder in St. Charles home invasion robbery
An Elgin man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a January home invasion robbery in St. Charles.
Jose L. Melendez, 33, was charged Jan. 16, and bail was set then at $1 million. He was taken into custody Wednesday.
Melendez is charged with attempted first-degree murder, home invasion with a firearm, home invasion causing great bodily harm, armed robbery, aggravated unlawful restraint, and unlawful use of a weapon. If convicted of the most serious charge, Melendez could be sentenced to six to 30 years in prison, unless he is found eligible for an extended term.
Melendez elected to proceed under the state's previous bail law, and so can be freed pretrial if he posts $100,000 bond.
He is accused of entering an apartment in the 100 block of Walnut Drive, along with at least two other men, on Jan. 14. They entered through an unlocked patio door, officials said.
Authorities allege the men bound people's hands with zip ties, and demanded money and drugs from them. One of the victims managed to call a person for help. That man entered the apartment and was shot. He shot one of the men who had broken in, James Gherardini, killing him, police said.
Co-defendant Panagiotis Koutroumbis was taken into custody at the scene. Police say they saw him dragging Gherardini away, in an attempt to conceal the death.
Koutroumbis is being held in the Kane County jail on $1.5 million bail on charges of attempted first-degree murder, home invasion with a weapon and aggravated unlawful restraint.