The woman's neighbor, a former deputy fire chief, is charged with the crime.
On the 911 call, you not only hear the victim but also the voice of her alleged attacker.
The victim initially ran to the suspect's apartment for help not knowing who had attacked her. When he wasn't home, she was helped by another building resident.
VICTIM: "I was sleeping on the couch. I woke up and somebody was there. He had gotten into my apartment, my condo, and he said, 'Don't move or I'll cut your (expletive) throat.' "
The call came minutes after the victim says she fended off her attacker, who was armed with a knife and slammed her head on the floor.
OPERATOR: "Do you know who this person is?"
VICTIM: "No, he had a mask on. He smelled like liquor. He weighs, he's about..."
OPERATOR: "Calm down for a second. Were you sexually assaulted?"
VICTIM: "No, I wouldn't go with him. I was too scared."
OPERATOR: "OK, what did he look like?"
VICTIM: "He had a mask on, a ski mask. It was dark black. He had, he had a dark coat on."
OPERATOR: "OK, and did he..."
VICTIM: "He's about 5'8", 5'9". He weighs about 200 pounds plus. He's kind of heavy set."
Police would later arrest a resident in the building, Chicago Ridge Deputy Fire Chief Gary Swiercz, who following his arrest retired after more than 20 years with the department.
Investigators say the victim initially sought help at Swiercz's unit after the attack. He is allegedly heard on the call checking on the woman.
VICTIM: "Gary, I went up to you, but you weren't there. You were gone."
NEIGHBOR: "Hello? Hello?"
VICTIM: "Don't go in there."
NEIGHBOR: (inaudible)
VICTIM: "Gary, your door was open."
NEIGHBOR: "I just came home. What happened?"
VICTIM: "Somebody tried to rape me."
Swiercz remains on house arrest at a different location.
Swiercz is charged with home invasion, attempted murder, unlawful restraint, burglary and attempted sexual assault. He has allegedly confessed to police.
