Police investigate home invasion

Posted 9/16/19

Rochelle Police are investigating a home invasion that took place Tuesday morning on the west side of Rochelle.

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Police investigate home invasion

Posted

ROCHELLE — Rochelle Police are investigating a home invasion that took place Tuesday morning on the west side of Rochelle.

Police were called by the female victim around 9 a.m. to a home in the 900 block of N. 14th St. following the incident.

According to Rochelle Police Chief Eric Higby, the suspect made his way into the home after the female victim answered the door to a man asking if she wanted him to mow her lawn.

“She told him no that she had someone coming later to do it, and then he pushed his way into the home. He subsequently tied her up and put her in the bedroom,” Higby said.

According to the victim, the suspect displayed a handgun.

Before leaving the home, the suspect took the victim’s bank card, cellphone and a jar containing change.

Higby said the suspect is described as an African-American male, approximately 6-feet tall, thin build and between the ages of 25 to 35 years old. He left the scene in what appears to be an early 2000 model silver Mazda.

suspect vehicle

(Suspect vehicle pictured)

Police were able to get an approximate location on the stolen cellphone as they ‘pinged’ the phone in the area of Hillcrest following the incident.

“We searched in the area where the phone was pinging but unfortunately we haven’t located it,” Higby said. “Unfortunately, according to the phone company, the proximity of the location can be within 5,000 meters [approximately 5,400 yards].”

The ambulance was called to the scene of the invasion, but the homeowner refused treatment and was not transferred.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rochelle Police Department at 815-562-2131.

suspect(Suspect/Photos provided by Rochelle Police)