Community members in the Austin area are on high alert after a sexual assault incident shook the neighborhood earlier this January. According to a community alert from the Chicago Police Department, a woman was followed and assaulted on the 200 block of N. Central Avenue on the evening of January 11, 2024. The attack, police say, transpired between 7:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in a multi-unit building’s stairwell, where the suspect implied he was armed with a cutting instrument.
The suspect, still at large, is described as a black male about 25 years of age, around 5'11" tall with a slim build. One distinct feature to look out for: the man has one front tooth noticeably shorter than the other. The community is outraged and fearful, demanding increased police presence and pleading for any information that might lead to the apprehension of the assaulter.
Residents and visitors to the area are urged by the police to remain vigilant. "Always be aware of your surroundings," reads the alert issued by the Chicago Police Department. They advise walking in pairs or groups and stress the importance of not pursuing a fleeing assailant but rather providing descriptions and information to law enforcement officials.
In response to the crime, local law enforcement is requesting the public's help. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 911 to report suspicious persons or activities in the community.
