CHICAGO — A Chatham man out on parole has been charged in connection to a sexual assault in August of a woman locking up After-Words new and used bookstore, police said.
Michael Roberson, 30, of the 7900 block of South Ingleside Avenue, was charged with one felony count of kidnapping and one felony count of aggravated criminal sexual assault.
A man came into the store at 23 E. Illinois St. about 10:15 p.m. on Aug. 6 and claimed to have left something inside, police said in August.
The man then pulled out a knife and forced the woman to the back of the business, where he sexually assaulted her before fleeing, police said.
After the incident, the bookstore decided to start closing at 6:30 p.m. until further notice, but has since shifted back its closing time to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
In 2011, Roberson was sentenced to two years in prison based on three theft charges, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections. He was released on parole in May.
In 2005, he was sentenced to four years in prison based on two robbery convictions, according to the corrections department. In 2002, he was arrested on an aggravated battery of a peace officer charge and later sentenced to three years in prison.
