WILMETTE, Ill., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A suburban Chicago homeowner who shot a burglar who entered his house twice within 24 hours last month has been charged with illegally owning two handguns.
Hale DeMar of Wilmette, proprietor of a popular Chicago restaurant on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, shot an intruder who entered his Wilmette home the night before by crawling through a dog door.
The intruder, a convicted burglar who police say stole a key to the residence, was shot in the shoulder and calf in the kitchen on his return visit about 10:30 p.m.
Possession of handguns is prohibited by ordinance in Wilmette, the affluent suburb north of Chicago.
The shooting was ruled justifiable self-defense but the Chicago Tribune said DeMar was charged with violating the village's handgun ordinance and having an expired Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification Card, both misdemeanors.
Failing to renew a firearm owner's card is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Violating the 15-year-old handgun ban carries a $750 fine.
DeMar's handguns were confiscated.
