Chicago police released a surveillance image of the man they believe is behind a rash of attacks on women in Lincoln Park.
Three separate women have reported being sexually assaulted by a man in the North Side neighborhood in the past 10 days, according to police.
The most recent of the string of attacks occurred early Thursday morning near DePaul’s campus. When the news broke of another woman being assaulted in what was once a safe city neighborhood, it was enough to make one of the man’s targets speak out.
It is NBC 5’s policy to not release the identity of victims of sexual assault, but 25-year-old Kaie came forward requesting to be identified, hoping to be a voice for the women who have experienced similar sexual violence.
In the early hours of Aug. 9, Kaie says she had just gotten out of an Uber and was walking to her home on the 1900 block of North Bissell when a man attacked her from behind.
“He bear-hugged me tightly around my waist for a good second, squeezing me, positioning himself,” Kaie said. “Grabbed my mouth and started sexually assaulting me. He pushed me down and then ran.”
Thursday afternoon, when police released a surveillance photo of suspect they are searching for, Kaie identified him as her attacker.
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“The way that he did it felt like he's done it multiple times because he knew how to strategically position himself,” Kaie said.
She says her new mission is to help others by speaking out and showing strength.
“Hopefully by doing this I can start doing rape advocacy work and be a voice for victims,” Kaie said.
Since Kaie’s attack, two other women have had to go through an almost identical experience.
Another woman was walking home just after midnight Aug. 15 when a man attacked her from behind right near the entryway of her home in the 100 Block of W. Goethe. He held her before she eventually fought him off.
And once again Thursday morning, a DePaul student was about to walk into her apartment at 1:40 a.m. when the man snuck up behind her, touched her inappropriately, then ran off.
Chicago Police believe the same man is responsible for all three attacks.
It’s a terrifying thought for Lincoln Park residents and DePaul students who get around most nights by foot.
“Waking up this morning and having this happen again – within 10 days, the same way – was crushing,” neighborhood native Sarah Brennan told NBC Chicago.
Until authorities have the suspect in custody, police urge DePaul students and residents to not walk by themselves late at night or early in the morning and to always be aware of their surroundings.
Anyone with information is asked to call Chicago police or DePaul Public Safety at (773) 325-7777.
