Two people charged with home invasion in Madison County

Three people have been charged after a home invasion led to a police chase beginning in rural Highland on Aug. 19.

A Highland resident called 911 to report that he had been robbed, beaten with a handgun and forced into a car shortly after noon Aug. 19. The person reported he was forced to several locations in an attempt to withdraw money from his bank accounts, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, but was then able to escape.

Police caught up with the car on Interstate 55, driving with two flat tires, and took three people into custody near the Poplar Street bridge.

Zachary T. Watson, 24, and Alize K. Mayes, 22, were each charged with home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated vehicular hijacking, all Class X felonies; and aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony.

Watson was also charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony; and two counts of aggravated fleeing a police officer, a Class 4 felony.

Both are currently in custody at the Madison County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail each. Police also arrested an unnamed juvenile who is now in the custody of Juvenile Detention Authorities.

The Highland resident was treated at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. While Highland Police were the first on the scene, Chief Chris Conrad said since the address is out of city limits, the sheriff’s department has jurisdiction. Det. Lt. Bryan Bauer is in charge of the ongoing investigation.

This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 10:26 AM.