Police are warning residents in the West Town neighborhood after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted near a busy intersection early Saturday morning.
Around 12:15 a.m., a 14-year-old girl was walking westbound in the 2800 block of West Division Street when she was approached by a man, police said in a community alert. The man attempted to talk to her and when she refused, he grabbed her, took her to a secluded area and sexually assaulted her.
The man fled the scene in a blue SUV, police said. He is described as a 5-foot-8, 180-pound Hispanic male between 20 and 35 years old with an olive complexion and medium length black hair, police said. He was wearing a blue T-shirt with short sleeves and blue pants.
Police released surveillance photos of the suspect and vehicle.
The incident has left area residents on edge.
"I'm shocked," said resident Martha Valle. "I didn't know that it could happen around here."
Those who live in the area say this type of crime is not common.
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"We know that stuff happens in Chicago, but not in this neighborhood," said resident Mark Stoltenberg. "Haven't heard anything like that in a long time."
Many were outraged by the attack and hope the suspect will be caught.
"Women should be safe wherever they are," said resident Carlos Pecciotto. "The fact that it happened in my neighborhood is doubly disgusting."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380.
