Man charged in River North runner attack

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Carl Freeman, 34, has been charged with two felonies in the attack of a woman running in River North last Saturday morning, according to police.

The 25-year-old woman was attacked in the 200-block of West Kinzie Street around 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10. The victim said a man came up behind her, grabbed her by the neck, threw her to the ground and began choking her.

A good Samaritan, Tom Cronin, was walking along Kinzie and witnessed the attack. He screamed and scared the attacker away.

Police arrested Freeman on Thursday, Sept. 15. He is charged with one felony count of aggravated battery in a public place and one felony count of aggravated battery - strangulation. He appeared in bond court Friday where bail was set at $500,000.

Police said Freeman has previous felony convictions.