Chicago State University on alert after pregnant student attacked

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago State University is on alert after a pregnant student was sexually assaulted and shoved into the trunk of her own car near the school in the city's Rosemoor neighborhood.

Volunteers posted flyers Thursday night to warn students that the criminal justice student was attacked. University officials e-blasted students about the incident and reminded them to use shuttle buses and police escorts.

"Whenever there is an incident that involves a student, whether that happens on campus or, like in this case it happens off campus, it's still our student and we take it very, very seriously," said Chicago State University spokesman Tom Wogan.

The 24-year-old woman was in the area to visit her cousin between classes around 12:50 p.m. Wednesday when police said a man forced her into the back of her car, sexually assaulted her at knifepoint and stuffed her in the trunk.

She is out of the hospital and her unborn child is OK. Police have been canvassing the area and talking to potential witnesses as they search for the suspect. One witness said the suspect looked like a carjacker.

"He was moving like a predator," the witness said. "He pushed her in the car and I was hollering, 'He's got her! He's got her!'"

The victim and her father plan to talk to police Friday in hopes of developing a composite sketch of the suspect. He said his daughter is confident that she could pick her attacker out of a lineup if given the chance.

The suspect is described as an African American man with a dark complexion, 18-22 years old, 5'10" - 6'2", weighing 150-200 lbs. He was wearing a navy blue windbreaker jacket and a plaid, button-type shirt, which was exposed below the jacket. He was also wearing denim jeans with a gray wash.

Area South police are investigating.