Park Forest residents on edge after groping incidents

PARK FOREST, Ill. (WLS) -- People living in one south suburb are very concerned about the safety of young woman after two teenagers say they were groped in separate incidents in the past week.

The assaults happened in Park Forest and police say the attacker's description is close to that of a man wanted in a series of similar incidents in the spring.

The community remains on edge after police warn about an attacker who appears to be targeting young teen girls and young women. Police say it appears as though the same man could be responsible for the two latest attacks, but they also say he is responsible for a string of incidents that happened back in April.

"He followed me into my yard and I pulled my phone out, about to call someone, and that's when he grabbed me," Essence Williams said.

A composed Williams tells how she fought off a would-be attacker even after he claimed to have a gun.

"I was nervous," she said. "I didn't want to just let my guard down and just let him, whatever. It felt like that he had some type of control on me."

The shocking incident happened here in the 300 block of Gettysburg Street in south suburban Park Forest as the 18-year-old walked the family dog around 11 o'clock at night.

That's when the teen says a man she didn't know walked up behind her, hugged her, and kissed her neck before groping her chest and telling her he had a weapon.

"He told me, 'don't fight, don't fight, I have a gun,'" she said. "What scared him off, I think, was when I escalated my voice, yelling for help and my dog was barking."

The suspect is described as an African American man in his mid-20s, around 5-feet 7- inches tall, a medium brown complexion with stubbly facial hair and sideburns.

Williams also says her attacker has crooked teeth with gaps between them.

This weekend Park Forest Police issued a community alert on their Facebook page warning residents about the June 22 attack and another incident two days later.

This latest incident happened in the 200 block of Westwood Drive.

A girl on her way to Rich East High School says a man grabbed her body as she walked to school. He then ran away. Witnesses say the offender may have also had short braids or dreadlock-style hair.

Authorities say the man described in the recent incidents matches the description of a suspect in several similar incidents which occurred in early spring of this year.

"I just want Park Forest Police to do what they need to do to catch this person, because it's summer time and kids are out here playing," she said.

Police are asking residents to simply be aware, if they see anyone or anything suspicious to call police.