Authorities say they are searching for two armed suspects who allegedly stormed into the home in the 6300-block of North Kildare at approximately 9:15 p.m. Wednesday.
ABC7 is told although the father, 57-year-old Shai Miller, was beaten severely, his 14-year-old son was unharmed. However, both were bound with tape.
The armed thieves, police say, also stole jewelry and silverware and other items from the Sauganash neighborhood home. Officials say the two men duct-taped Miller and his son to chairs, then beat the 57-year-old.
Miller was taken to St. Francis hospital in Evanston, where he was being treated for a brain hemorrhage. He was in critical condition Thursday afternoon.
Miller is a jeweler. He is listed as the owner of Miller's Jewelry Supply in Jewelers Row. The store was closed Thursday.
A relative of Miller runs Sep Jewelers on the fifth floor of the Jewelry Exchange but was too upset to speak to ABC7. Next door though, at Diamonds on Wabash, there was sympathy and a chill over what happened to Miller
"It is a scary situation and you have to be ready," said Joanna Filkins, Diamonds on Wabash.
Miller's neighbors were shaken by the incident.
"To think that something would happen in this neighborhood is pretty difficult to hear that it happened, even just across the street from me," said neighbor Slobodanran Kovic.
"I've lived here for 35 years, and in the last three months, we have had two break-ins now. And before that, there was nothing. It's a very quiet neighborhood," neighbor Victor Koerner said.
Area residents also say the family is from Russia and moved into the home within the last year.
Detectives combed the crime scene Thursday and talked with a family member in front of the home.
No specific description of the two attackers was available Thursday -- only that they are two armed men. Police say they are continuing their search.
Authorities have not said whether or not the victims knew their attackers. It is possible the thieves were looking for jewelry.
Police have made no arrests in the case.
