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Crime & Safety

Carjacking Suspect Put On Home Confinement

Prosecutors: Michael Buhrman told woman of plan to flee to Chile.

A Coal City man accused in the May carjacking of a woman in Woodridge claimed he would flee to Chile to avoid the charges, according to prosecutors.

Earlier this week, prosecutors asked a judge to raise the bail of 31-year-old Michael Buhrman to $1 million after information surfaced indicating Buhrman told a 20-year-old woman he had "access to a private jet" and recently purchased several thousands of dollars in gold, court documents state.

"(Buhrman) stated (to the woman) he intends to leave the country soon," the bond-increase motion explained, adding Buhrman planned to flee to Chile "within the next few weeks."

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Buhrman was indicted in May on charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, vehicular hijacking and unlawful use of a weapon. Prosecutors have said Buhrman, wearing a mask, pointed a loaded .45-caliber handgun at a woman sitting in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am at the Kohl's at 75th Street and Lemont Road on May 9.

He remains free on $200,000 bail, but a judge placed him on home confinement and GPS monitoring this week after prosecutors raised concerns about Buhrman's reported statements to the woman, who said Buhrman introduced himself by a different last name when they met, records show.

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The judge said Buhrman is allowed to leave his home for court, counseling sessions, his court-approved child visitation and to seek employment. Published reports have indicated Buhrman worked as a nuclear engineer at the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant in Morris.

Buhrman is also prohibited from being within five miles of any airport property, documents state.

The woman told authorities that Buhrman said his attorneys would stall the case by asking for continuances, giving him an opportunity to leave the country, records show.

"(She) has been attempting to renew her passport ... in order to give her relationship with the defendant a chance," prosecutors wrote in the motion.

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