"It's just amazing that somebody would stoop so low," said Andrew Bailey, who lives at Church Creek where the assault happened.
Police said the man entered a unit from a first-floor window at about 10:40 p.m. The community is located near Central Road and Dwyer Avenue. The victim is hospitalized. Police have not released a description of the man.
Bailey, who has lived at Church Creek for more than a decade, said he's haunted by the incident.
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"It's just heart breaking and appalling to think of somebody that would break in to a building that is 98 percent elderly and a few handicapped people like myself," Bailey said.
Bailey said Church Creek staff called a community meeting Friday afternoon to discuss security measures.
Neighbor Beth Shanley, who lives just next door, news of such a brazen attack is hard to digest.
"I lived in Arlington Heights my entire life," Shanley said. "I grew up four blocks from here. It's not something common that I hear about anyway."
Attacks like this are rare for Arlington Heights, although a similar assault occurred nearly a year ago in September. In that unsolved case, the suspect also entered through a window.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the man. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arlington Heights Police Department at 847-368-5300.
Anonymous tops can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 847-590-STOP or via their website at ahcrimestoppers.org.