New Serial Predator Strikes West Ridge Area
Chicago residents are on high alert as a new serial predator has emerged in the West Ridge neighborhood, just west of Rogers Park. Less than a month after the resolution of a similar case in Logan Square, the community is now facing a fresh wave of terror.
According to a recent community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, a masked man armed with a knife has been targeting women for robbery and sexual assault inside and near their homes during nighttime hours. The alarming pattern has seen four women victimized since late last year.
The first incident occurred on December 26 in the 6200 block of North Bell, where the man forcibly entered a woman’s residence in the early hours of the morning. Armed with a knife, he proceeded to sexually assault her before fleeing with her belongings.
On January 25, a woman in the 2300 block of West Arthur was confronted by the predator as she entered her home late at night. While he robbed her, no sexual assault was reported in this instance.
March 25 saw another attack in the 6200 block of North Oakley, where the man used a knife to rob and sexually assault a woman entering her residence. He then fled the scene on a bike with fat tires.
The most recent incident took place on April 25 in the 6100 block of North Campbell, where a woman was targeted as she returned home. The assailant, armed with a knife, proceeded to sexually assault her and steal her valuables.
The suspect is described as a Black man aged between 23 and 35, standing between 5’8″ and 6’1″ tall. He is often seen wearing a dark hoodie, pants, and shoes, along with a mask covering part of his face. The first victim noted possible face tattoos on the man.
Chicago Police Department’s Area Three detectives are leading the investigation and can be reached at 312-744-8261 or 312-744-8263 regarding crime pattern #P25-3-022.