Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Three area police departments are issuing a joint Community Alert after a series of attacks on women in recent months. In the latest attack this morning, a woman was sexually assaulted in the area of Old Plank Trail and Homan Street in Matteson near the Metra Station. Earlier this week, on Tuesday, a man grabbed two women in two separate incidents within an hour; one in Park Forest on Rich Road and a second in Richton Park on Sauk Trail near Richton Square Road. All three of the most recent incidents took place in the morning hours.
While it is unknown if the same offender is responsible for each incident, the suspect description has generally been of a black male, approximately 5’8” to 5’10”, medium or athletic build, with age estimates ranging from mid 20s to late 30s. In the sexual assault in Matteson, the suspect was described as a clean-shaven black male in his late 20s to early 30s, approximately 5’10”, weighing about 180 pounds, with short hair, calloused hands, and a medium-brown complexion. He was wearing a black hooded nylon jacket with a white zipper, dark denim jeans, and worn, dark gym shoes.
The Park Forest Police Department continues its investigation into four previous groping incidents in Park Forest since March. The incidents were reported to have taken place at Winnebago Park, on Westwood Drive at Winnebago Street, on Sangamon Street at Shabbona Drive and in the 300 block of Windsor Street.
Although police cannot conclusively state if all incidents are connected, the Park Forest, Richton Park and Matteson Police Departments will continue to work closely to solve these crimes. Additionally, a $500 reward remains for any information which results in the arrest of an offender in any of the incidents. Residents are asked to call 911 immediately should they see anything suspicious.
Source: VOPF
