Jun 29, 2009 10:17 pm US/Central
Surveillance Tape May Help Police Close Rape Case
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Surveillance cameras recorded a sex assault in the Bucktown area early Monday.
CBS
Neighbors heard a woman's cry for help and alerted police to a sexual assault in Bucktown.
A person of interest is now in custody, but surveillance video may be key in charging the assailant.
Vince Gerasole picks up the story.
With its hip shops and trendy restaurants, Bucktown draws a young crowd -- often out late -- but at about 3:30 Monday morning one young woman was dragged to the ground at the well-lit corner of Shakespeare and Damen and sexually assaulted.
Fortunately for police, at least two nearby surveillance cameras captured the attack.
When the crew at FruitFlowers arrived at their storefront this morning, they came face to face with a crime scene investigation.
"The police came in, noticed that we did have surveillance cameras outside and asked to see some footage," Joe Grillo said.
There are actually 16 cameras throughout the complex, and two of them captured the initial moments of the attack.
Grillo said the video is "frightening, very frightening."
"I mean, I just saw the girl completely helpless and no way to even prevent it," he said.
The cameras show a hooded figure jumping from behind a young woman and pulling her to the ground. Seconds later, she is pulled off camera to an alley where police say she was sexually attacked.
"This guy came at full speed from behind a vehicle, running at her, and tackling her to the ground," Grillo said.
Neighbors heard the woman's cries and called police to the scene a few moments later. The alleged attacker was taken into custody but police aren't sure if he's connected to at least three other sexual assaults that have occurred in the neighborhood since February. In the meantime, the workers at FruitFlowers hope their video leads to a conviction.
"I am glad that we could be so beneficial to something that impacted this young lady's life so much," Casey Rincon said.
The victim is reportedly recovering tonight in the hospital. Investigators have been conducting lineups throughout the day to better identify the man they are holding and possibly connect him to the other attacks in the area.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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