Prosecutor: Peapod Driver Offered Massage, Then Raped Customer
UPDATED 11/23/11 9:24 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) - Prosecutors say a Peapod grocery delivery driver first offered to give a longtime South Loop customer a massage, but then went on to sexually assault her.
Guillermo Bangilit, of the 6000 block of West Byron Street, stands charged with criminal sexual in the Oct. 26 incident. Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered him held on $10,000 bond Tuesday.
Balingit made small talk with the 21-year-old woman when he came to her home around 7:30 p.m. that evening. He told her she looked tired and that he knew a technique to help with her fatigue while in her residence in the 1100 block of South Michigan Avenue, Asst. State's Atty. Sher Bennet said at a bond hearing Tuesday.
The woman suggested he demonstrate his skills on her living room floor after the 36-year-old Balingit told her he needed a flat surface, Bennet said.
But Balingit allegedly said a bed would better suit his needs. The victim said her room was messy but Balingit said that would be fine, Bennet said. The woman was uncomfortable, but let Balingit into her bedroom and allowed him to massage her back and shoulders as she lay on her stomach.
But she said, "No," when Balingit told her to lie on her back and take off her shirt, Bennet said.
The victim felt "trapped" and kept telling Balingit "no," she said. But Balingit took off her clothes, grabbed her breasts, kissed and raped her.
The married father of three was originally arrested for misdemeanor assault for the incident and was given a $10,000 individual recognizance bond. The state's attorney's office initially refused to charge him with felony criminal sexual assault — a clear indication they didn't believe the woman's claims, his attorney David O'Connor said.
But charges were upgraded earlier this week against Balingit.
Balingit, who is originally from the Philippines, was also ordered to turn in his passport.
Peapod officials were unavailable for comment Tuesday, but issued a statement at the time of the original arrest:
"Peapod considers the safety of its customers to be one of its top priorities. We conduct criminal background checks of all drivers before they are hired by Peapod, which are updated periodically. We are taking this matter very seriously and continue to cooperate with law enforcement authorities."
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.