UPDATE: Authorities say story was a hoax...
A Sandwich woman says she was sexually assaulted Tuesday evening by a man she believed was a police officer.
The 33-year old victim told police she was driving on Griswold Spring Road near the southern end of unincorporated Plano, when the man, driving a blue Ford Crown Victoria with flashing red and blue lights, began following her.
The woman said she pulled over for what seemed to be a traffic stop, when the man, dressed in a blue uniform, pulled a mask over his face, pointed a gun at her and forced her into a nearby cornfield where he beat and sexually abused her, a Kendall County Sheriff’s Office report said.
"The victim was seen by a passerby coming out of a cornfield without her pants on," said Det. Sgt. Joe Jasnosz. "That passerby was our 911 caller."
The attacker is described as a white or light-skinned Hispanic man who stood about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed about 180 pounds.
The victim was treated for her injuries at nearby Valley West Hospital and released Wednesday morning.
Although the incident occurred on a heavily traveled road during daylight hours, Detective Sergeant Joe Jasnosz of the Kendall County Sheriff’s office said no witnesses had come forward by Wednesday afternoon.
Motorists who are suspicious when being stopped by an unmarked vehicle are advised to proceed to a well-lit public area and/or call 911 to verify the vehicle.
All traffic laws must be obeyed and an explanation must be offered upon encountering the officer.
Note: This post was originally published Aug. 8, 2012.
