Resident shoots burglar

By Dave Gomez

DeKalb police are investigating an attempted burglary that occurred Sunday morning at a residence that also reported a home invasion one week before.

Police said at about 12:16 a.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Oakwood Street called to report that someone had attempted to enter the home by prying open the front door.

The resident responded to the attempted entry by firing a handgun round through the front door.

Shortly after the incident, a man appeared at the Kishwaukee Community Hospital Emergency Room requesting treatment for a gunshot wound to the leg. He was treated and later released before being arrested by police.

Ernest J. Clark, 33, of Chicago was charged with attempted residential burglary.

The crime is a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The attempted break-in took place after a reported Sept. 24 home invasion at the same residence.

The resident told police on that occasion, three or more masked men armed with at least one handgun kicked down the back door and entered the home but were scared away after the resident shot a round from his handgun.

No injuries were reported during that incident.

DeKalb police did not comment on whether the two incidents were related.