Child sexually assaulted in Albany Park thrift store, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are searching for the man who sexually assaulted a child inside a thrift store on Chicago's Northwest Side.

Inside the narrow, clothing-filled aisles of the Village Discount Store in the 3300-block of West Lawrence Avenue in the city's Albany Park neighborhood, the man allegedly grabbed and sexually assaulted the child around 7 p.m. Monday.

"I have a 5-year-old son myself and to just think of something like that happening in my own neighborhood, it just sends chills down my spine," said Marcelino Riley, who lives in Albany Park.

The store manager said the crime was caught on surveillance video, which was turned over to police. On Wednesday afternoon, police released surveillance video of the suspect.

Village Discount Outlet said it is cooperating with police and declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

In 2002, police said there were three sexual assaults at the same store and two more sexual assaults occurred at other Village Discount locations in the city. Customers said the attack isn't a shock.

"They need more security and parents should keep their children close. The children run around in here and I think that could lead to stuff," said Mark Ray, a customer.

Customers also said some other thrift stores make special announcements over the speakers, reminding parents to keep an eye on their children.

"The Salvation Army has an announcement about every hour about that. Maybe they should have the same thing going on here," Howard Sockel, another customer.

Police gave a vague physical description of the suspect: a white or Hispanic man between age 25 and 40. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt with white circle on it and gray cargo shorts.

Anyone with information regarding this attack should call the Chicago Police Department's Special Investigations Unit at 312-492-3810.