Reward offered for capture of 'armed and dangerous' man in Dolton

DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Dolton police said late Wednesday they are following a lead in their search for a suspect wanted in two sexual assaults and an armed robbery in south suburban Dolton.

"We're following one lead right now. It might be a positive lead, but we won't know until we reach the conclusion of it," Dolton Police Chief Robert Collins Jr. said.

The most recent sexual assault took place in the 15100-block of Dorchester around 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 8. A woman was walking to work when a man pointed a gun at her and forced her to perform sex. A short time later, police said he robbed a man and a woman in their car just two blocks away.

"There is one man terrorizing our community. The description, MO all seem to fit. We don't who this person is. We know he's local because he's on foot every time he approaches," said Cmdr. Darryl Hope, Dolton Police Dept.

On April 30, police said the man got into a woman's car in the 15100-block of Woodlawn and forced her at gunpoint to drive to a different location, then sexually assaulted her.

Police also said the man robbed his victims of their cell phones, and even asked the codes to open their phones. Police said they haven't been able to track any of those cell phones.

"That's very brazen. That means this person is very aggressive, also brandishing a weapon. He's armed and dangerous," Cmdr. Hope said. "There's no telling what he might do. We take it very seriously, that's why we're out here today alerting the public and also passing out flyers."

Police have released an image captured by a home security system. They said the suspect has a dark complexion, short hair with twists, is 5'5" to 5'5" and about 150 to 170 pounds.

"He may stay next door to you. You never know. He may be in an abandoned house somewhere. You never know. It might be your own relative," said Andrew Holmes, community activist.

As community activists and police go door-to-door handing out flyers, neighbors are also looking out for each other.

"Yeah, another woman warned me. Yeah, she was in the car and she warned me," said Lola Wesseh, a Dolton resident. "She said, 'Be careful, around here. Be careful.'"

"I'm scared for other people's lives, not just mine. And I want the parents to know - don't let your kids outside by themselves because there is a man going around raping people," said Brandy Irwin, a community member.

Police said the man they're looking for has a dark complexion, short hair with twists, is 5'5" to 5'5" and about 150 to 170 pounds.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for his capture. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dolton Police Department at (708) 841-2533/(800) 883-5587.