19-year-old in custody for North Side sex assault Chicago police believe is connected to previous attacks
A 19-year-old man is in custody after a woman was sexually assaulted in a Roger's Park gangway on Thursday night. Police believe he is also connected to previous assaults in another neighborhood.
Just after 11 p.m., Chicago police said a 21-year-old woman was walking in the gangway, in the 18000 block of Lunt Avenue, when a 19-year-old sexually assaulted her while armed with a knife.
Police said the victim went to the police station to make a report. She was then taken to the hospital, where she was listed in good condition.
Responding officers later found the offender and placed him into custody.
Chicago police said the teen is also considered a person of interest in at least five more sexual assaults that were reported on the city's North Side between December 2024 and April 2025.
In those cases, police said the victims were robbed or sexually assaulted. The most recent case was reported a week ago. The suspect in the reported incidents was also armed with a knife, according to a community alert issued by CPD. Police put crime tape over a bike in this most recent case.
"It happened so close by," Abigail Hanosh said.
Hanosh lives near this most recent attack.
"I'm absolutely terrified," she said.
Alderman Maria Hadden (49th) said she was grateful that the police were able to get this man into custody. In a statement, she said, "Our sympathies are with the survivor and we have resources and supports available for them and anyone else that has survived a sexual assault."
Hanosh says she will start carrying pepper spray and is heeding this as a warning.
"It freaks me out. I will definitely no longer be walking alone, especially at night," she said
Charges are pending in the most recent case. Area Three detectives are investigating.