Court believes Buhrman a flight risk

Coal City man awaiting carjacking trial placed on home confinement

WHEATON, Ill. — A Coal City man accused of aggravated carjacking with a firearm was placed on home confinement and GPS monitoring this week.

Jerome Siegan, manager of communications and special projects for the DuPage County Clerk of the Circuit Court, said the county's state's attorney filed a motion on Monday to increase bail for Michael Buhrman, 31, of Coal City, from $200,000 to $1 million.

According to police reports, Buhrman was arrested by Woodridge police after they said he approached a woman in a Kohl's parking lot, pointed a .45-caliber handgun at her, ordered her out of the vehicle and drove off with her car. Buhrman was, at the time of his arrest, a Dresden Generating Station employee.

According to court records, the motion for increased bail was filed Monday after prosecutors learned Buhrman allegedly told his girlfriend he was planning to flee the country to Chile. He reportedly said he had access to a private jet, money in off-shore bank accounts, and had recently purchased $100,000 in gold. His girlfriend also was reportedly attempting to renew her passport.

Instead of changing Buhrman's bail, the judge ordered Buhrman be placed under home confinement and GPS monitoring. Under the terms of confinement, he is only allowed to leave his home to seek employment or attend court dates and doctors appointments, and he is not allowed within five miles of an airport.

Buhrman remains out on $200,000 bail. He will next appear in court on Aug. 27.