The Logan Square neighborhood has been on high alert following reports of a series of sexual assaults perpetrated by an armed assailant. According to Chicago police, alerting the community through CBS News Chicago, there have been three confirmed attacks over the last few weeks. The assaults occurred at various times and places, including the 3400 block of West Armitage Avenue, the 2800 block of West Bloomingdale Avenue, and the 2600 block of North Troy Street.
One of the victims, a 21-year-old woman who was assaulted in the hallway of her apartment building, spoke out about her harrowing experience with the attacker. Recounting to the Chicago Sun-Times, she said that the man, brandishing a small knife, forced her to remove her jacket and assaulted her while pressing the weapon to her neck. The offender threatened her not to call the police, claiming he would be watching from across the street.
Following the attack, her roommate immediately contacted the authorities despite the assailant's warning. At the scene, the police gathered details on the assailant's description—a male white Hispanic between the ages of 29 and 35, standing between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 10 inches tall, unshaven with short black hair and brown eyes, often wearing dark clothing.
These attacks have unsettled the Logan Square community, prompting a friend of the second victim, Daniel Tompkins, to highlight the importance of communal safety. Tompkins, who reported the assault to police, emphasized in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times the need to ensure that "everyone gets home safe at night." Further, Sue Garstki of Krav Maga Illinois gave crucial advice on self-defense to local residents, underscoring the necessity of situational awareness.
The local authorities, including 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata, has been coordinating with the police to ramp up investigations and patrol efforts. Ramirez-Rosa assured the public that, "Area Five Detectives are working diligently to investigate these assaults," in a statement released following the attacks. Those with any information regarding the crimes are urged to come forward and contact Grand Central Area detectives at 312-746-6554 or submit tips anonymously at CPDTIP.com.
