On October 27, 2010, at approximately 9:15 p.m., two armed men forced their way into the Sauganash neighborhood home of 57-year-old jeweler Shai Miller, located in the 6300 block of North Kildare Avenue in Chicago. The assailants bound Miller and his 14-year-old son with duct tape. While the son remained unharmed, Miller was severely beaten, resulting in massive brain trauma.
The intruders ransacked the residence, stealing items such as jewelry, silverware, and a painting. Miller, the owner of Miller's Jewelry Supply at 5 S. Wabash Ave., was hospitalized in critical condition at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston. He succumbed to his injuries nearly a week later, on November 2, 2010.
Following the incident, authorities arrested 41-year-old Leszek Pawelkowski, charging him with murder and home invasion armed with a firearm. A fingerprint found on the duct tape used to bind the victims linked Pawelkowski to the crime. Miller's son also identified Pawelkowski in both photo and physical lineups. During the home invasion, the assailants stole silverware, a painting, and a substantial amount of cash that Miller had intended for a large purchase.
The tragic event shocked the quiet Sauganash community, leaving neighbors and colleagues of Miller in disbelief. Many speculated that the attackers targeted Miller due to his ownership of a jewelry store. As of the latest reports, police were still seeking at least one other suspect involved in the crime.
