A Glendale Heights male suspect, who lived with two other housemates that he allegedly attacked, was released after assaulting one housemate (Victim 1), but was detained pre-trial after returning to the house where he had been forbidden on conditions of pre-trial release. While at the forbidden location, he stabbed a second housemate (Victim 2).
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Glendale Heights Chief of Police George Pappas announced Sunday, March 1, 2026 that Judge Michael Fleming has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Glendale Heights male suspect accused of stabbing a housemate (Victim 2) in the stomach Saturday afternoon. Ernesto Granados, age 29, of the block of 100 West Wrightwood Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court Sunday morning charged with two counts of Home Invasion (Class X Felony), one count of Armed Violence (Class X Felony), and one count of Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony). On Friday, February 28, 2026 after a previous crime, Granados had appeared in First Appearance Court facing non-detainable Misdemeanor Assault and Disorderly Conduct charges alleging that on Thursday, February 27, 2026, he kicked in a bathroom door at the same residence, and assaulted a housemate (Victim 1). Following his First Appearance Court hearing yesterday morning, at 8:55 a.m., Granados was released pre-trial on this case with conditions including no entry to the property on W. Wrightwood Avenue.
On February 28, 2026, at approximately 2:58 p.m., approximately six hours after Granados was released pre-trial, Glendale Heights police officers responded to a call of a disturbance in the 100 block of W. Wrightwood Avenue. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the victim (Victim 2) was in his bedroom when Granados, who lives in the same home as the victim, broke through the victim’s bedroom door holding a knife. It is alleged that Granados approached the victim, stabbed him in the stomach and then left the victim’s bedroom. Officers with the Glendale Heights Police Department took Granados into custody at that time. The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
“As we all do, the victims in this case have every right to feel safe in their own home. Mr. Granados’ alleged violent actions on two separate occasions, however, have shattered that expectation of security his victims once enjoyed. Today’s charges against Mr. Granados, who was previously granted pre-trial release just six hours before he allegedly returned to the home and violated his conditions of pre-trial release, illustrate the need for the General Assembly to enact changes to the State’s Safe-T-Act to give judges more discretion at First Appearance Court. Too often, we are seeing offenders released pre-trial because the Act does not allow judges to use their discretion for certain offenses. I thank the Glendale Heights Police Department for their prompt response and apprehension of the defendant in this case and their ongoing commitment to public safety. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Kelsey Kerr and Anna Derkacz for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Granados.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“This alleged senseless act of violence by Ernesto Granados should never have occurred. The loopholes in the Pretrial Fairness Act allegedly allowed Granados to prey on another housemate. Our thoughts are with those who were affected by this violent attack. I commend our officers on this case for their outstanding work in the identification and apprehension of the defendant. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Anna Dercakz and Kelsey Kerr for their tenacious effort and guidance in preparing a strong case against Granados. The DuPage County law enforcement agencies and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, led by State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, are committed to protecting our residents and holding those accountable who threaten the safety of others.”
— Glendale Heights Chief of Police George Pappas
Granados’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 30, 2026, in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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