Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Rape Of Lakeview Woman Forced Into Car Trunk Similar To Earlier Rape: Cops

 Police said Thursday's rape and robbery could be linked to a Feb. 28 attack in the same neighborhood. File photo.
Police said Thursday's rape and robbery could be linked to a Feb. 28 attack in the same neighborhood. File photo.
View Full Caption
Flickr/vpickering

CHICAGO — Police are urging residents to be cautious after two women were raped in brazen Lakeview attacks over the past two weeks.

The most recent incident occurred about 8:20 p.m. Thursday in the 3700 block of North Fremont Street, police said in a community alert.

A 24-year-old woman was exiting a residential garage and walking down the street when a man approached her from behind with a gun, police said. The man forced the woman into the garage — where he robbed her, raped her and ordered her into the trunk of her car.

The attacker then drove to several ATM locations attempting to withdraw money, police said. The woman was able to escape after her attacker crashed her car in the 11500 block of South Throop Street about 9:55 p.m. Thursday.

The suspect is black, in his late 20s or early 30s, sports a scruffy goatee and thin mustache, weighs about 200 pounds and stands 5-foot-10, police said. He was wearing tan khakis and a red sweatshirt.

The attack came less than two weeks after a 25-year-old woman was reportedly raped and robbed in her car in the 1200 block of West Barry Avenue shortly after midnight Feb. 28.

In that case, police said, an armed man robbed the woman before forcing her into her car at gunpoint and raping her.

That suspect was described as a black man in his late 20s or early 30s with short black hair and scruff on his chin. He has a mole on his face, was roughly 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 and weighed roughly 150-170 pounds.

According to police, the man wore a brown or green sleeveless vest over a black button-down shirt with white markings and dark-colored pants.

Police in a statement Friday said: "Both these incidents are similar and may be the same offender; however, this has not been confirmed at this time."

Officers are urging residents to walk in pairs and report suspicious loiterers. If attacked, police said, residents should remain calm, try to take note of unique physical characteristics and call 911.

Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at 312-744-8261.