• 2025-04-21 16:14:29
• Gun Violence

NEW LENOX, IL — A 61-year-old Joliet man faces charges after police say he broke into another's man New Lenox home, pistol-whipped and threatened to kill him late Wednesday night.

New Lenox police were called April 16 around 11:45 p.m. to a home in the 500 block of North Cooper Road. The caller, a 74-year-old man, told police that a man knocked on his door, claiming to be a police officer. The man—dressed in all black and a "black, plastic Halloween mask" and armed with a pistol—then forced entry into his home and struck him in the face with the weapon, New Lenox police said.

The man "demanded gold" and threatened to kill the victim, according to police.

Struck with the gun multiple times, the victim was taken to Silver Cross Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Police said the victim told officers that the suspect also made several statements about "specific pieces of property that the victim owned," indicating they knew each other. The victim recognized the suspect's voice, and pulled at his mask, partially revealing his face, police said. The victim identified the intruder as Brian K. McDaniel, whom he had known for over a year.

According to police, McDaniel stole a firearm, jewelry, and coins from the victim's residence and fled.

An investigation revealed that a mutual acquaintance had given McDaniel information about the victim's valuables, police said. This was not a random act, as the victim was intentionally targeted due to his connection with McDaniel, police said, and there was no threat to the community.

New Lenox detectives on April 18 found McDaniel in Tinley Park and took him into custody.

Detectives identified the vehicle that was used during the home invasion, and obtained search warrants for McDaniel's vehicle and residence. The searches recovered sufficient evidence to link McDaniel to the incident, police said.

He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated battery, and impersonating a police officer and taken to the Will County Jail.