Days after a robbery attempt in suburban Harvey turned into a 21-hour hostage situation, prosecutors and police described a nightmarish scene inside a home where two women and six children were being held.
Under the pretense of offering to cut the grass for $15, prosecutors say Peter Williams, 41, of Chicago and David Jordan, 40, of Dixmoor brandished guns and forced their way into the house.
"The sister was grabbed by the neck and a handgun was pressed against her side and her face by the defendant Williams," Assistant State's Attorney Patrick McGuire said. "The six terrified children in the house began to scream and cry. The defendants demanded $50,000 in cash from the homeowner."
When Harvey Police arrived, the homeowner and two other men in the house managed to escape, warning officers about the home invasion.
"They have guns and my children are inside," Police Chief Denard Eaves recalled one man saying. "At that very moment gunfire erupted and the officer received a gunshot wound to his right forearm."
What followed was nearly 21 hours of terror, according to prosecutors, who say the convicted felons repeatedly threatened the two remaining women and six children.
Williams is accused of raping one of the women multiple times then planning to use both the women in a bizarre escape plan.
"Tying the adult females to them and forcing the women to hold of the 1-year-old babies while the defendants walked out with them with a gun in each of the adult female's mouths," McGuire said.
Now Williams and Jordan stand charged with multiple counts of attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault.
On Friday morning in Markham, Judge Tommy Brewer ordered Williams held on a $2.5 million bail. Jordan’s bail was set at $2 million.
One of the two Harvey police officers wounded in the hostage incident required surgery. Darnell Keel is now out of surgery and is said to be doing well.
Harvey’s mayor congratulated his department and the Cook County sheriff for a peaceful resolution and offered the victims prayers and counseling.
"My heartfelt prayers go out to all the victims who were unfortunately wounded in this horrific incident," Mayor Eric Kellogg said.
