Victim Of Arlington Heights Home Invasion Thanks Community

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — An Arlington Heights resident who defended his home and family from an attempted home invasion April 4 expressed gratitude to his community for the outpouring of support he has received in a lengthy Facebook post. The homeowner said the last few days have been the most challenging for his family.

"With all of this distress, our family has been blessed with the most incredible outpour of concern for our family," the homeowner posted. "The calls, the texts, the emails, family, friends, neighbors, Thomas Middle School, friends we have lost track with over the years and so many of the Arlington Heights community that without knowing us just wanted to help."

An investigation into the home invasion revealed that Larry D. Brodacz, 58, of Buffalo Grove and Bradley J. Finnan, 38, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, planned to force their way into the residence and rob the homeowners at gunpoint, according to Arlington Heights police. Once the pair gained entry, the male homeowner fought with Finnan and chased him out of the house, according to police.

After re-entering his house, the homeowner retrieved a handgun from a safe and confronted Brodacz, who was pointing his own firearm at the homeowner's family, police said. Brodacz attacked the homeowner with a knife, police said, and after a brief struggle and the homeowner fired one shot into Brodacz' abdomen, killing him, and fled the house with his family to await the police. Finnan is charged with felony murder and home invasion.

Since the incident, the homeowner posted that numerous people have offered get groceries, prepare meals, provide clothing and stay at their hoes through the coronavirus pandemic.

"We want each [and] every one of you that extended your hand to our family to know we are forever filled with gratitude and heartfelt emotion," the homeowner wrote. "You have no idea how much it means to us and how very much your genuine care and concern for our family has been a monumental part of getting us through these days and our journey in healing moving forward."