A Homer Glen man charged with home invasion in Darien was denied pre-trial release Thursday after an appearance before a DuPage County judge.
Michael Lahey, 32, of the 13000 block of Maverick Trail, is charged with two counts of home invasion, aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer and misdemeanor theft following Tuesday’s break-in, chase and subsequent barricade situation at his home.
DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden granted prosecutors’ motion to deny pretrial release.
Lahey has a history of mental illness and his parents told officers he had been off his medication since March, prosecutors said. Lahey, who told investigators he believed the Darien home belonged to his grandmother, broke into the residence and threw glass at the homeowner, causing a significant injury to his arm, prosecutors said.
During the course of the argument, Lahey also accused the homeowner of stealing the home from his grandmother and threw a stool at him, prosecutors wrote in a motion seeking to deny pretrial release.
The homeowner was able to escape and alert nearby roofers to call authorities. When police arrived they saw Lahey driving his Ford Bronco at a high rate of speed. During the ensuing chase, his car jumped a curb, drove through a parking lot and reached speeds of more than 75 mph. Prosecutors said Lahey also sped through a construction zone, with workers present, and drove into oncoming traffic on multiple occasions.
When they reached Will County, officers broke off the chase out of safety concerns and alerted authorities of the incident. Members of the DuPage County MERIT Swat and Will County Sheriff’s SWAT teams responded to Lahey’s residence at 6:54 p.m. after obtaining a search warrant.
Lahey kept authorities at bay for hours before being taken into custody later that evening. He damaged a police drone used during the standoff. SWAT teams also broke multiple windows and used gas to subdue Lahey.
Lahey has other outstanding criminal charges including two recent charges in Will County on charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and another for violating an order of protection, court records show.
Dieden took note of Lahey’s psychiatric history, writing that it included violent behavior. He also highlighted Lahey’s previous criminal history, the home invasion and his attempt to flee police that day, including driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed.
“The defendant showed a blatant disregard for the law, orders of police and the safety of the community,” Dieden wrote in his order. “His conduct, defiance and resolve to avoid apprehension suggest an inability to comply with any conditions of release that could mitigate the danger he poses.”
The Darien homeowner told investigators he received stitches for his injuries and said he has had trouble sleeping at night since the home invasion, and is uncertain if he will be able to return to his home.
Lahey’s next court date is scheduled for Aug. 31 before DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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