4 people, dog stabbed in Buffalo Grove break-in

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. (WLS) -- A suspect is in custody after four people, ages 16 to 47, and a dog were stabbed during a home invasion in northwest suburban Buffalo Grove, police said.

Buffalo Grove Chief of Police Steven Casstevens said police received a 911 call about two masked men breaking into a home in the 400-block of St. Mary's Parkway from someone inside the house around 12:05 Wednesday. Responding officers found two people with stab wounds outside the home, the front door forced open and several broken windows.

A man stabbed the 47-year-old male homeowner several times with a large hunting knife, police said. Two other male residents, a 16-year-old female resident and the family's German shepherd were also stabbed. A fifth person inside the home was not harmed. Casstevens said three of the people inside the house were related. The other two were friends, who do not live there.

During the attack, the homeowner managed to grab a gun and fire one shot, Casstevens said. No one was hit, but the suspects ran from the scene.

Officers interviewed the victims, who provided descriptions of the suspects, which were sent out to nearby police departments. Wheeling police received a call about a suspicious person at a gas station near Lake Cook and Weiland roads in Buffalo Grove. Officers stopped a vehicle possibly linked to the crime around 2 a.m.

"One of the suspects that they encountered had blood on his pants and was in possession of a bloody hunting knife," Casstevens said.

Casstevens said three people were taken into custody for questioning. Two were later released. Police said Thursday that the person who remains in custody is classified as a suspect in the case.

All four victims were taken to hospitals. Casstevens said as of 7:45 a.m., three of the four victims were treated and released. The homeowner was still in the hospital Wednesday night in serious condition following surgery.

The German shepherd was covered in blood as an officer led the dog out of the home. The dog sustained deep stab wounds to his shoulder. After undergoing surgery at a Buffalo Grove veterinary clinic, the dog was listed in good condition, police said.

Francis Meh and Amy Foley, both neighbors, were shocked to hear about what happened.

"Nothing like that has happened before. Not here. Very quiet neighborhood," Meh said.

"I think it's a horrible thing. It's sad. It's tragic. It's very frightening that people can't be safe in their own homes," Foley said.

The police chief said there is no threat to the public.

"Our investigators do not believe this was a random act," said Casstevens. "We do not yet know the motive of this attack."

The violent home invasion remains under investigation.