Jesse Kazmierski | Homicide Watch Chicago

Third man charged with murder in shooting death of retired Chicago Police Sgt. Elmer Brown

Michael Lansu — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:29:13 -0500

Nicholas Heisler / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A third man from Indiana was ordered held without bond Thursday for his alleged role in the murder of a retired Chicago Police sergeant last spring.

Like his alleged cohorts, 20-year-old Nicholas Heisler, of Hammond, Ind., is facing murder and home invasion charges for the March 10 incident that led to 73-year-old Elmer Brown's death.

Jeremy Mendez, 16, of Whiting, Ind., and Jesse Kazmierski, 18, of Hammond, Ind., are currently being held without bond in Cook County Jail.

Believing Brown and his wife had a lot of money in a safe, the three drove from Indiana to Chicago hoping to get their hands on the loot, said Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini.

The trio ended up taking some money, a rifle and knife from the home, Santini said.

Brown, who was shot once in the face at his home at East 115th Street and South Avenue G, died two weeks later.

The 38-year Chicago Police veteran’s wife had been lying face down on the ground when she heard a gunshot, Santini said.

When the 72-year-old woman looked up, she saw her husband lying in the hallway.

The assailant holding the weapon allegedly told Brown’s wife, “Keep your head down bitch or I’ll f––---- blow your head off too.”

Prosecutors said it was unclear who pulled the trigger because Heisler, Mendez and Kazmierski had their sweatshirts pulled tightly around their faces during the crime.

The couple was watching television when Heisler, Mendez and Kazmierski rang the doorbell, Santini said.

“Help, we need help,” one of the three allegedly said.

Brown’s wife was opening the screen door when Kazmierski and Mendez pushed their way inside, knocking the elderly woman to the floor, Santini said. Heisler remained on the porch when Brown's wife was pushed down, Santini said.

They demanded to know where the safe was and Brown told them it was located upstairs, Santini said.

After ransacking the home, the three fled to Indiana with the Brown's property, Santini said.

Heisler, who gave a statement to detectives, had told someone about the group's plan and tried to recruit that person to join them, Santini said. He also allegedly admitted to sharing the proceeds of the robbery.

Heisler is a father of one and has another child on its way, an assistant public defender said.

Jeremy Mendez, 16, held without bond in murder of retired Chicago Police sergeant

Michael Lansu — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:45:21 -0500

Elmer Brown / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A 16-year-old Indiana boy was ordered held without bond Wednesday for his alleged role in the murder of an elderly retired Chicago Police sergeant.

While his mother sat next to him, Jeremy Mendez admitted to detectives that he forced himself into 73-year-old Elmer Brown’s home the night of the incident last spring, Cook County prosecutors said.

Jesse Kazmierski, of Hammond, Ind., was charged with the deadly home invasion earlier this month. He also is being held without bond and is awaiting trial at Cook County Jail.

Believing Brown and his wife had a lot of money in a safe, Mendez, Kazmierski and another cohort drove from Indiana to Chicago on March 10 hoping to get their hands on the loot, authorities said.

But they ended up leaving without the cash, instead fleeing with the Browns’ other property, including a handgun and a knife, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

Brown, who was shot once in the face at his home near East 115th Street and South Avenue G, died two weeks later.

The 38-year Chicago Police veteran’s wife had been lying face down on the ground when she heard a gunshot, Santini said.

When the 72-year-old woman looked up, she saw her husband lying in the hallway.

The assailant holding the weapon allegedly told Brown’s wife, “Keep your head down bitch or I’ll f––---- blow your head off too.”

Prosecutors said it was unclear who pulled the trigger because Mendez and Kazmierski, 18, made their way inside the residence with sweatshirts pulled tightly around their faces.

Jesse Kazmierski / Photo from Chicago Police

The couple was watching television when Mendez and Kazmierski rang the doorbell, Santini said.

“Help, we need help,” one of the two allegedly said.

Brown’s wife was opening the screen door when Kazmierski and Mendez pushed their way inside, knocking the elderly woman to the floor, Santini said.

They demanded to know where the safe was and Brown told them it was located upstairs, Santini said.

However, the suspect who ransacked the home ended up coming downstairs, telling the other, “I can’t get it, Let’s get out of here,” Santini said.

The trio fled back to Indiana after the crime, Santini said.

Once there Mendez, of Whiting, Ind., told someone what he had done, Santini said.

Mendez, like Kazmierski, is facing murder and home invasion charges. He has been as an adult.

Chicago Police officials said Wednesday they are waiting to extradite the third suspect from Indiana.

Brown’s wife, Mary Ann, told the Sun-Times in March that her spouse was “a wonderful father and husband.”

Jesse Kazmierski charged with murder in shooting death of retired Chicago Police Sgt. Elmer Brown

Michael Lansu — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:35:31 -0500

Jesse Kazmierski / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

After Jesse Kazmierski and two others robbed a retired Chicago Police sergeant during a deadly home invasion on the Far South Side, he admitted “We did something stupid,” Cook County prosecutors said.

Believing 73-year-old Elmer Brown and his wife had a lot of money in a safe, the three drove from Indiana to Chicago on March 10 hoping to get their hands on the loot.

But they ended up leaving without the cash, instead fleeing with the Browns’ other property, including a handgun and a knife, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

Brown, who was shot once in the face during the incident near East 115th Street and South Avenue G, died two weeks later.

The 38-year Chicago Police veteran’s wife had been lying face down on the ground when she heard a gunshot, Santini said.

When she looked up, she saw her husband lying in the hallway.

The assailant holding the weapon allegedly told the 72-year-old woman, “Keep your head down bitch or I’ll f------ blow your head off too.”

Prosecutors said it was unclear who pulled the trigger because Kazmierski, 18, and the other suspect made their way inside the residence with sweatshirts pulled tightly around their faces.

There was no mention during Kazmierski’s Thursday bond hearing if and how the Browns knew him.

The couple was watching television when Kazmierski and one of his cohorts rang the doorbell last spring, Santini said.

“Help, we need help,” one allegedly said.

Brown’s wife was opening the screen door when Kazmierski and the other suspect pushed their way inside, knocking the elderly woman to the floor, Santini said.

They demanded to know where the safe was and Brown told them it was located upstairs, Santini said.

However, the suspect who ransacked the home ended up coming downstairs, telling the other, “I can’t get it, Let’s get out of here,” Santini said.

The trio fled back to Indiana after the crime, Santini said. That’s where Kazmierski allegedly came clean.

Kazmierski gave the knife that was taken from the Browns’ home to the person he told about the crime, Santini said.

The knife has since been recovered from the Hammond, Ind. man’s home.

Judge James Brown ordered Kazmierski -- who allegedly confessed to detectives -- held without bond for murder and home invasion.

The two others have not been charged.

Brown’s wife, Mary Ann, could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

In March, she told the Sun-Times that her spouse was “a wonderful father and husband.”