Man Charged In Attacks On Women On New Lenox Forest Preserve Trail
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A New Lenox man who allegedly beat one woman and attacked another Monday on Old Plank Road Trail near New Lenox was ordered held on $100,000 bail.
Victor Hermida-Cortez, 25, of 1021 Stonegate Road, was arrested shortly after the two incidents that occurred moments apart. He faces two felony charges of aggravated assault with intent to cause great bodily harm, according to the Will County sheriff's office, as one of the women suffered multiple injuries, including having several teeth knocked out.
The first victim, a 25-year-old, was running on the trail near the Bluestone Bay subdivision when Hermida-Cortez allegedly came up behind her on his bike and grabbed her by the hip. They scuffled and fell into the grass, but the woman was able to escape and run away, Will County Forest Preserve District spokeswoman Cindy Cain said.
About 15 minutes later, Hermida-Cortez allegedly passed a 19-year-old jogger while riding his bike west on the trail near Constitution Road, and he went to give her a high-five, which she ignored, Cain said. Hermida-Cortez then allegedly got off his bike, knocked her to the ground, got on top of her and beat her, she said.
The woman suffered a broken orbital bone and broken clavicle, had several teeth knocked out and was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Cain said.
Hermida-Cortez reportedly continued to ride his bike west on the trail, but was struck by a car while crossing Lake Street, Cain said. The driver of the car that hit him exited his vehicle to see if the bicyclist was OK, but Hermida-Cortez ran off with his bike, prompting the motorist to call police, she said.
A New Lenox police officer on a motorcycle responded to the call and found a suspect matching the description carrying his bike on Old Plank Road Trail and arrested him, Cain said.
The first victim was able to identify Hermida-Cortez as her attacker, she said.
He is next due in court Oct. 21.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
