Aggravated kidnapping, attempted murder charges for man who trapped Chicago FFs

Melvin Jordan faces felony charges for luring a battalion chief and lieutenant into a gasoline-soaked house

September 01, 2023 07:50 AM

By Caroline Kubzansky
Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — An Auburn Gresham man previously convicted of attempted murder faces several felony charges for allegedly barricading two Chicago firefighters in his basement and threatening them with a knife, Chicago police announced Thursday.

Melvin Jordan, 47, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated unlawful restraint and unlawful use of a weapon/possession of a weapon as a felon on parole, police said in a news release.

He is accused of luring two Chicago firefighters into his gasoline-soaked basement on the 7700 block of South Marshfield Avenue and threatening them with a knife earlier this week. The firefighters eventually escaped through a window on the main floor of the home, according to a police incident report.

Jordan’s attorney, Joshua Kutnick, said he was unable to comment until he had further reviewed the charges.

Jordan previously served time in prison for attempted murder before he filed a post-conviction petition for retrial, according to court records.

He was released from prison after posting cash on a $45,000 bond in April 2019, court records show. He last appeared in court for the retrial process Aug. 14 and was next set to be in court Sept. 11.

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In a written statement, the Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said that the department was grateful that the involved firefighters were unharmed and that police had arrested Jordan.

“The Chicago Fire Department is glad our members were able to get through the incident safely and that Mr. Jordan was taken into custody before he could hurt others or himself,” he said. “He appears to be a troubled man, and we hope he can get the help he needs.”

Jordan is expected to appear for a bail hearing Friday at Central Bond Court, according to a spokesperson from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.