ELGIN IL - Smiling Early Released Negro Parolee Lewis McCracken has a lot to be happy about - he was shot with his own gun during a failed home invasion and has picked up about a dozen new felony charges to boot.

Keep emptying our prisons & jails releasing felon after felon to terrorize our neighborhoods and neighbors

A career criminal was shot with his own gun during a altercation last week in Elgin is now facing home invasion and weapons charges, police said.

Lewis C. McCracken, 20, of the 100 block of Josephine Drive in South Elgin, was charged with home invasion and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, according to a news release from Elgin police.

Officers were called about 2:20 a.m. April 2 for a report of shots fired in the 500 block of Sunset Drive. Residents told police they heard a car alarm activate and saw McCracken and another person burglarizing a vehicle, police said.

The vehicle's owner told police he confronted the burglars and recognized McCracken, who then displayed a handgun and entered the home, police said.

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