Eighth West Side Woman Attacked, Sexually Assaulted

Another woman was robbed and sexually assaulted at gunpoint early Friday, bringing to eight the total of women attacked in a similar fashion since late August.

Friday's attack comes just one day after police issued a community alert to warn residents of the attacks, which began Aug. 28 in several neighborhoods from United Center Park to the Austin community.

The latest attack happened early Friday in the 600 block of North Leamington, police said. It’s just three blocks from a robbery and attack reported Sunday in the 900 block of North Leamington.

The man -- or men -- approaches female victims as they are walking, parking their cars or entering their homes. The women are robbed at gunpoint of purses, money, jewelry and cell phones, police said.

During the robbery, the women are sexually abused or assaulted.

The attacks have happened between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the Monroe, Harrison and Austin police districts, which encompass the United Center Park, Austin, Humboldt Park, Lawndale and Garfield Park neighborhoods.

Police have very little to go off on and could only offer a vague description of an attacker. He's a black man in his 20s or 30s who stands between 5 feet, 5 inches and six feet tall and weighs between 130 and 170 pounds. He's worn a skull cap and/or a ski mask, black jacket or sweater and black jeans.

The attacks happened in the following locations: the 1100 block of North Lawndale; 8000 block of North Harding; 4700 block of West Maypole; 3800 block of West Monroe; 2200 block of West Monroe; 5500 block of West End; 900 block of North Leamington, police said.

Women are advised to be alert and aware of their surroundings, report suspicious persons loitering near their home, try to travel in groups at night or during early morning hours, make sure exterior lights are working, and have a family member or friend meet and escort them to their destination.

Anyone with information should call detectives at 312-746-8253.