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Man Tried To Rape Woman He Followed Home From Party, Prosecutors Say

By Erica Demarest | October 25, 2017 1:11pm | Updated on October 27, 2017 11:36am
 Baron Wheeler, 25, is charged with trying to rape a woman early Sunday on the Far Southeast Side.
Baron Wheeler, 25, is charged with trying to rape a woman early Sunday on the Far Southeast Side.
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DNAinfo; Cook County Sheriff's Office

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An East Side man followed a woman home from a birthday party Sunday and tried to rape her in her bedroom, prosecutors said.

Baron Wheeler, 25, is charged with attempted criminal sexual assault.

According to prosecutors, Wheeler and the victim, 24, were at a mutual friend's birthday party in the 10600 block of South Avenue G when the woman decided to head home about 4 a.m. Sunday.

Unbeknownst to the victim, Wheeler followed the woman to her apartment, which was in the same neighborhood, Assistant State's Attorney Kathryn Roy said during a bond hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2650 S. California Ave.

As the woman slept, prosecutors said, Wheeler entered her home, walked into her bedroom, pulled down his pants and tried to sexually assault her.

Prosecutors did not explain how Wheeler gained access to the woman's home. Wheeler and the victim were described in court as "acquaintances."

When the woman awoke, Roy said, she yelled at Wheeler to stop. The woman then ran out of her bedroom and told a houseguest what happened. That guest kicked Wheeler out of the home, prosecutors said.

Wheeler, of the 10400 block of South Ewing Avenue, turned himself in to police later that day, prosecutors said. He reportedly confessed to groping the victim and touching her with his exposed penis.

Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. said Wheeler could be released on his own recognizance pending trial so long as he qualifies for electronic monitoring. If Wheeler does not qualify, the judge said, bail will be set at $200,000.

Wheeler can avoid electronic monitoring altogether if he posts $20,000, or 10 percent of the total bail amount.