Man sexually assaults woman at gunpoint in her home, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 25-year-old woman was forced into her own home at gunpoint and sexually assaulted on the city's South Side and Saturday night and police say her suspected attacker remains at large.

Chicago Police released a sketch of the man they say sexually assaulted and robbed a woman Saturday afternoon on the 8800-block of South Crandon.

The assault happened around 12:30 a.m. Saturday when police say the woman was walking down the street and approached by the offender, who then showed her a gun and forced her inside her home, where the assault took place.

Iris Dougams says she was home when she got a call from her grandchildren's school just down the street alerting her to the situation.

"He said something had happened in the neighborhood of the school, an assault has taken place," she said. "They called to let the parents know that you can pick up your kids but the kids are safe, they're locked down."

Saturday a local Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) member went door-to-door talking to residents and handing out flyers with the suspects sketch. Many had not heard about the assault, but say even in their relatively quiet neighborhood, people are always on alert.

"I'll circle around. If i see something that's suspicious, some activity down the street," said Stephanie Bryant. "I'll circle around. I'll call my parents, I'll tell them to start calling."

Police say the offender is an African American male with a medium complexion, is six-feet tall, weighs about 200 pounds and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and black and red Michael Jordan gym shoes.

"I tell this other granddaughter here, 'Do not go through the alley, do not take short cuts,'" Dougans said. "I've been victimized before myself. In DC. So I know what to do. I know what to look for."

Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to their suspect to call detectives at Area South Police headquarters and to not approach since he may very well be armed.