Richard Person, a 43-year-old man, has been charged with sexually assaulting a disabled woman multiple times aboard a Green Line train and on Metra property in Oak Park. The horrific incident took place on June 8, where Person reportedly pulled the woman to the floor of the train, removed her clothing, threatened her with a knife, and proceeded to sexually assault her. The victim, who has disabilities and difficulty walking, was then forced off the train at Oak Park, where Person continued to assault her multiple times on Metra property.
Thankfully, passersby intervened when they saw the woman trying to crawl away from Person, leading to his arrest by the police nearby. Prosecutors have charged Person with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault of a disabled person, aggravated kidnapping with infliction of harm, and unlawful restraint. Judge Deidre Dyer has ordered him to be detained pending trial due to his extensive criminal history.
According to CPD records, Person has been arrested six times this year alone, with a pending misdemeanor retail theft case at the time of his arrest in Oak Park. This disturbing incident highlights the vulnerability of individuals with disabilities and the importance of bystander intervention in preventing such heinous acts.
This report is based on the official court transcript of the defendant’s detention hearing and serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and protection of vulnerable members of our society. Our thoughts are with the victim of this traumatic ordeal, and we hope for justice to be served in this case.
