Prosecutors say a man committed a home invasion near Libertyville and tried to rape a woman inside the home who was on her phone in a Zoom court hearing.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 10:10 a.m. on November 30 to a residence in the 16000 block of West Arlington Drive in unincorporated Libertyville for a report of a domestic dispute.
Sheriff’s deputies met with the victim, a 38-year-old woman, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The woman informed deputies that Daniel J. Keefe, 38, of Libertyville, arrived at her home and she saw him on a video doorbell. The two were in a prior relationship.
The victim told Keefe to leave but he forced his way into the home, Covelli said.
Covelli said the victim continued to tell Keefe to leave several times and he refused.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said the woman was on Zoom for a Lake County court hearing involving a case where Keefe had been charged two weeks earlier with domestic battery involving the same victim.
“Instead of appearing for his court date, the defendant went to the victim’s residence and began pounding on the victim’s door,” Vukovich said.
Keefe noticed that the woman was attending his own court hearing on her phone.
He grabbed her phone and then said “You’re trying to f–k me over,” according to Vukovich.
Vukovich said Keefe pinned the woman to the floor and threatened to slit her throat.
Keefe allegedly began thrusting his body against the woman while on top of her.
The victim was on her back with her legs separated and Keefe pulled the victim’s pants down, Vukovich said.
Keefe said he was going to rape the woman and the victim was eventually able to break free, Vukovich said.
The victim was able to get a phone and call another person, who came over to the house and witnessed Keefe on top of the woman.
The witness pulled Keefe off of the woman and called 911.
Vukovich said Keefe began kicking the door to get back inside the home before eventually fleeing the scene.
He was located in the area by sheriff’s deputies and arrested.
Keefe was charged with home invasion causing injury, attempted criminal sexual assault and two counts of domestic battery.
Attorney James Bertucci said his client did not commit home invasion and never forced his way inside.
Bertucci said Keefe was in a “furry of confusion and panic” because he was missing his court hearing and sought help from the alleged victim.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Keefe detained in the Lake County Jail pending trial.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 4 for a preliminary hearing.