CPD searching for suspect committing robberies, burglaries, sex assaults on North Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is a new alert about a series of robberies, burglaries and sexual assaults on the Far North Side.

Police say the attacks happened within blocks of each other in the West Ridge neighborhood, starting back in January.

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In most cases, a suspect, armed with a knife, stole items from victims and made sexual contact with them.

Police say the crimes have spanned several months. The most recent attack was on Friday night.

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The suspect is described as a 23- to 35-year-old man, who is 5-feet, 8-inches to 6-feet, 1-inch tall.

The suspect was seen wearing a dark-hooded jacket, dark pants, dark shoes and a face mask, police said.

The suspect was potentially seen riding away on a bicycle.

Residents say this is a quiet, diverse and friendly neighborhood. But many are concerned about the recent wave of crime.

"It worries me, yeah. My daughter walks and comes home late at night," neighborhood resident Jennifer Chaud said.

Some residents believe the suspect might live in the area.

"It's alarming, alarming. It's happening a block away, two blocks away, all right here in one little path," West Ridge resident Bob Shaeffer said.

Alderperson Debra Silverstein, who represents the 50th Ward, sent a community alert to residents detailing the crimes, saying in part "These incidents are absolutely horrific, especially given the sexual nature of the crimes. The 24th District is working closely with the Area 3 Detective Division to identify the offender."

"I'm really concerned for women's safety right now," said one neighborhood resident, who only wanted to be identified as Judy. "We've always had some crime in the neighborhood, but his is standing out. And police have come by numerous times to check our cameras."

Judy lives next to where one of the attacks happened.

The incidents took place at the following times and locations:

- 2:50 a.m. Dec. 26 in the 6200-block of North Bell Avenue: A suspect broke into a home, stole items, and, while armed with a knife, made unlawful sexual contact with a victim, CPD said.
- 11:29 p.m. Jan. 25, in the 2300-block of West Arthur Avenue: A suspect broke into a home and stole items, police said.
- 9:03 p.m. March 25 in the 6200-block of North Artesian Avenue: A suspect, while armed with a knife, stole an item from a victim as she was walking into her home, police said.
- 9:20 p.m. March 25 in the 6200-block of North Oakley Avenue: A suspect, while armed with a knife, committed unlawful sexual contact with a victim and stole items, as she was walking into her home, CPD said.
- 8:55 p.m. Friday in the 6100-block of North Campbell Avenue: A suspect, while armed with a knife, committed unlawful sexual contact with a victim and stole items, as she was walking into her home, police said.

Anyone with information or related video footage is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8261 or 312-744-8263. Tipsters can also visit cpdtip.com.

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