Chicago police: Man charged in attempted sex assault of USPS worker after hiding in mail truck

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man has been charged after Chicago police said he hid in a USPS worker's mail truck and tried to sexually assault her in Little Village on Saturday.

Wednesday morning, Chicago police said Cesar Ramirez, 44, has been charged with attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery of a government employee and vehicular carjacking.

Police say Ramirez met a 28-year-old letter carrier in a Southwest Side gas station in the 2800-block of South Pulaski Road Saturday morning.

Police release new surveillance video of the man that allegedly tried to sexually assault a postal worker in Little Village over the weekend.

After leaving the station, however, he allegedly hid in her mail truck in the parking lot and waited for her to get in, then hijacked the truck.

"She turned around and observed the defendant in the rear of her postal van. The defendant grabbed her by the hair and instructed her to drive or he would kill her," said Asst. Cook County State's Attorney Anne McCord Rogers.

As she tried to get away, he grabbed her by the shirt and attempted to rape her.

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"She was able to slip out of her clothing and escape the van. The victim ran down the street not wearing any clothing on the top half of her body seeking help," Rodgers said.

Police recovered the mail truck in an alley a short time later, and they found the suspect's car at the gas station. But there was no sign of the Ramirez - until they released images from surveillance video.

Chicago Police CHief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan announces charges in an attempted sexual assault of a USPS worker in Little Village.

In this case, it was the suspect's own relatives who saw images from the gas station on the news and recognized him.

"These family members called police and informed them of the defendant's identity," McCord Rodgers said.

Ramirez is a registered sex offender and has a long criminal history, including prior convictions for home invasion and criminal sexual assault. The letter carrier was treated for cuts and bruises.

"But we know that with any violent crimes, in the city of Chicago, it could have gone a different way," USPS Inspector Spencer Block said. "Thankfully, this one didn't."

The judge ordered Ramirez held without bond.