ROGERS PARK — A Rogers Park man turned himself into Ald. Joe Moore (49th), and ultimately Chicago Police, after seeing his picture plastered across media outlets in the hours after he allegedly raped and robbed a woman, according to police.
Milton Anderson, 26, is charged with one felony count of robbery with a firearm and one felony count of aggravated criminal sexual assault with a firearm.
At 4:40 a.m. Saturday, the 25-year-old woman got off the Red Line at Jarvis Avenue and was followed by a man who had also been on the train, according to a community alert from police. The man grabbed her from behind in the 1400 block of West Jarvis, showed her a gun and forced her to a secluded area, where he robbed her and sexually assaulted her, police said.
A community member saw a photo of Anderson on the morning news and urged the man to turn himself into police, warning him two things could happen: Anderson could turn himself in, or police could arrest him on the street or at his girlfriend's house, which could lead to injuries, Moore said.
Anderson said he would turn himself in, but he and the community member, who wants to remain anonymous, opted to do so at Moore's office.
“Because of my long involvement in the community and my efforts to build relationships of trust, they felt more comfortable going to me as an intermediary rather than just showing up at the police,” Moore said. “I was certainly happy to play that role.”
Anderson and the community member went to Moore's office, and Moore contacted police and then drove to the police station with Anderson and the community member, though they were in separate cars. Moore said he didn't speak to Anderson much, though he thanked him for "doing the right thing and turning himself in."
“Every day is different in my job. This is the first time I’ve had a suspect in a high-profile crime turn himself in, yes. But, the role of an alderman far exceeds that of making sure potholes are filled and garbage is picked up,” Moore said. “People rely on the alderman for all sorts of things, and this is the latest example of a very unique role the alderman play in the community.”
Police identified and were questioning a person of interest in the case Monday, said Officer Michelle Tannehill, a Chicago Police spokeswoman.
On Tuesday night, police said Anderson, of the 1700 block of West Juneway Terrace, was arrested and charged.
The victim positively identified Anderson as her attacker, police said.
He is due in bond court Wednesday.
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