Woman sexually assaulted, robbed at knifepoint in Gresham

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police have issued a community alert after a woman was sexually assaulted and robbed at knifepoint in the Gresham neighborhood Sunday morning.

The 57-year-old woman was walking to the Red Line under the viaduct on 78th Street between Wallace and Fielding avenues at about 3:30 a.m. when police said she was approached by a man in a red ski mask. Police said he sexually assaulted her at knifepoint and then took off with her bank and debit cards, ID and cash.

Police have released a suspect description of what the man was wearing at the time of the attack. He was wearing a red ski mask, a blue denim jacket with a white Sherpa fur-lined collar and black pants He has brown eyes and is between 6 feet and 6 feet 3 inches tall and about 200 pounds. Police said he was armed with 6-8 inch knife with a brass knuckle grip.

The suspect was last seen fleeing eastbound on 78th Street from Fielding Avenue.

Now, neighbors are on high alert.

"For something like that to happen is a shock to me," said Linda, a Gresham resident.

"For that to happen with the police station up the street, they need to patrol around here more," said Gresham resident Malorie Armour.

Armour said she's s seen all-too-much violence this past year. Her brother, 35-year-old Ari Armour was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting this past June.

He was a father of two, children's book author and CPS security guard killed about a mile away from where this attack happened near Malorie's home.

"We haven't reached the 'get over it' part, so I just pray they do something about violence, period," she said.

Now, Malorie and her neighbors say they will be on high alert until the suspect is caught.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Area South detectives at (312) 747-8271.