Attempted Murder Charges Against Man Wielding a Knife, Invading Tinley Park Home
Tinley Park police arrest a knife wielding, 49-year-old man after a home invasion. The woman sustained minor injuries.
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Updated at 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 6 to include Swiercz's occupation.
A Tinley Park woman was attacked in her home in the wee hours of Saturday morning by a man wielding a knife. Police arrested a man matching the description of the attacker in the condominium parking lot.
Gary M. Swiercz, a 49-year-old Chicago Ridge deputy fire chief, was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder, home invasion, aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated attempted criminal sexual assault and residential burglary, police said.
According to the Tinley Park police report, the woman said a man entered her condominium home about 2:35 a., forced her to the floor and beat her. The two struggled and the man fled the scene.
She was treated at the scene for minor injuries, police said.
Swiercz is being held at Cook County jail. A bond hearing is pending.
Police report information is provided by the Tinley Park Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.
Frank Williams
11:21 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Any truth to rumors this guy is a high level official in the Bridgeview Fire Department; Assistant Fire Chief? If so, please report it. Thanks.
TP Resident
12:12 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
He's a Deputy Chief on Chicago Ridge.
Pat Cannon
12:54 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
He is a Chicago Ridge Deputy fire cheif...
Rich Schmidt II
1:48 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
I think a ritual burning is at hand for Mr. 'I try to murder women'
It's the only thing that makes sense. Can I get a second on this??
Harry Callahan
8:21 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
Last time I heard if reported correctly is that he is going to placed on bond,and will wear a electronic device,but the reporting of some of these incidents that have been occurring recently the reporting is all over the board or mum.
Mary Carumba
2:17 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
This is another example of why innocent citizens in Illinois should have the right to bear arms like the rest of the 49 states.
Baba Wawa
3:59 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Mary, your comment makes no sense. This happened in her home. Providing she's not a convicted felon and has a valid FOID card, she can legally possess a firearm in her home and could have used it.
Harry Callahan
8:07 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
First thing that came to my mind,how did he get in,was the door not locked,what kind of locks were in the door,being a fireman did he know how to break-in like with a axe,because living in a condo and to make any kind of noise of braking in a door would sure arouse someone especially at that time of the day when your total noise level is silent at 2 or 3 in the morn. and if reported correctly he was a occupant of the condo????????? HOW DID HE GET IN?
Michelle
3:09 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
I think everyone should wait a few until the full story comes out. Not going into details, as what I've heard could be wrong. Just keep this in mind, anyone can call the police and say "this happened" and the accused would be charged with such if true or not. The truth can take days or take until a court date to come out.
Mary Carumba
5:24 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
So, you think this story isn't true?
Lorrie
6:57 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
I know for a fact it is true. What the real question should be has he done this before? All the evidence that was found is that this was premeditated, Did he just decide when he woke up that morning that he was going to try and rape someone. NO he probably has done it before, only he has never been caught UNTIL now.
Wondering
5:52 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Ski mask, duct tape, knife, sex toy, and lube.... How do you even explain it?
Lorrie
7:01 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Only explanation........HE IS GUILTY......His bond should have been 1mil......Really a Dupty Fire Chief......They should be held to HIGHER STANDARDS
concerned
7:03 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Add this guy to the list of firefighters in the south suburbs accused of sex crimes. First you had the Orland Police chief, then an Orland firefighter, now this guy.
Chicubs
7:42 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
I assume they knew each other?? It just seems like it is based on the story...to go to a condo building filled with people...he had to know her or target her somehow...
Baba Wawa
10:43 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
According to the Southtown and Tribune, his bond is $150,000 and he is a neighbor of the victim. They live in the same building.
Steve
9:42 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
The news today made it sound like he lived in the building? Tinley is very tight lipped when things like this happen.
Baba Wawa
11:09 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
Not sound like he lived in the building; he did live in the building. Tinley being tight lipped is irrelevant. The facts were brought out at the bond hearing for all the world to hear and were reported in various newspapers for all the world to see. The Assistant State's Attorney at the bond hearing said he lived in the same building.