By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – A 21-year-old home invader and parole violator pleaded guilty to felony charges that could send him to prison for life after exchanging gunfire with a 69-year-old homeowner.
Xavier Markese Jones, 21, pleaded guilty Friday, Dec. 7 to two of several charges, assault with intent to commit murder and felony firearm possession. Additional charges during last month’s arraignment in 25th District Court included armed robbery and first-degree home invasion.
Jones and another suspect broke into a house in the 1400 block of Fort Park Boulevard on Nov. 7. The homeowner shot at the intruders, who fired back before running from the home. The homeowner was not injured, and immediately called the police.
Jones and 18-year-old Justin M. Acosta were located soon after by nearby officers on Howard Street; along with cuts likely caused by breaking through a window to exit the house, police found bits of broken glass in their clothing.
Acosta was charged in Wayne County Circuit Court with assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and home invasion. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Friday.
Jones will be sentenced Jan. 8. Jones was listed on the state Offender Tracking Information System as having absconded from parole in April after previous convictions for receiving and concealing stolen property and larceny.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected]publications.com.)