Westmont intruder sexually assaulted elderly woman, forced her to withdraw money at ATM, police say

WESTMONT, Ill. (WLS) -- Westmont police are searching for an intruder who sexually assaulted a senior citizen at gunpoint in her own home, then forced her to drive to an ATM and withdraw money.

Police say the victim was asleep in her bedroom at the Eagle Creek Apartments early Thursday morning when a man broke in, woke her up and threatened her with a gun before sexually assaulting her. But he was also apparently intent on robbing her, forcing her to drive to an ATM and withdraw money for him.

"It was a very traumatizing event. She was very cooperative with our investigation. She provided many details of the crime, and of the horrific nature of the crime," said Westmont Police Dep. Chief Jim Guenther.

The man made the woman drive at gunpoint in her own vehicle to a TCF Bank branch in Willowbrook, where she withdrew several hundred dollars to give him. Then he had her drive to the intersection of 83rd and Janes in Woodridge, where he got out.

Neighbors say this is generally a safe place to live, but many are concerned for the victim.

"Especially when it has happened to a woman who was alone, it's very bad she didn't get any help," said Rajesh Lakshmibadhy, a neighbor.

Police say the victim was with the suspect for close to an hour. They say he has dark skin, is about 6 feet tall, and is in his 20s with a husky build. He was wearing a dark sweatshirt. The woman was unable to provide a good description of his face.

"He had a hood on and that obscured his face. The victim was very terrified and didn't want to make direct eye contact with the suspect," Guenther said.

The woman was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital.

Westmont police are offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads them to an arrest.