Masked Man Robs, Assaults Woman In Lincoln Park
Updated 09/22/11 - 5:35 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police are searching for a man who allegedly raped and robbed a woman in Lincoln Park when she answered the door to her apartment in broad daylight on Wednesday.
The victim, a 27-year-old woman, was attacked at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday inside her apartment in the 2600 block of North Wilton Avenue, police said.
Thursday morning, police detectives visited the three flat where the woman was raped. Minutes before they had walked in the victim spoke briefly to CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker. She appeared distraught as she explained that the suspect had come in through the building's front door, which she said was always unlocked.
The woman said that's why the attacker was able to knock on her apartment door. She indicated she opened the door for the man and, according to a police report, she was raped by gunpoint and then robbed of cash.
After the attack, the woman was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where she was listed in good condition on Thursday, police said.
As CBS 2's Susanna Song reports, the attack has Lincoln Park residents concerned and wondering what's going on.
"It's very scary, especially in broad daylight," said Lisa Bevilacqua.
"That's a scary thought," said Erin Weber, who moved to Lincoln Park six weeks ago.
Weber moved there because it felt safe, the same reason John Karabis bought a place near the intersection of Wrightwood and Wilton avenues.
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"I have a wife, actually. We're expecting a child on the way, so, you know, we moved in the neighborhood because you figure it's a little bit more safer than others, so this really is … it's disturbing," he said. "It just goes to show that it can happen anywhere."
Lincoln Park resident Brett Usen said, "There's lots of single women walking up and down the streets, especially since it's a hot spot for commuters living so close to the 'L' tracks, so it's got to be alarming for a lot of females in the area."
Usen said it's so peaceful in Lincoln Park that he doesn't even lock his door when he walks his dog around the neighborhood.
"Normally it's a wonderful neighborhood, but now I guess I'm going to have to think twice about things, at least in the interim," Weber said.
"It's terrible," said longtime Lincoln Park resident Michelle Farra. "I lived in this neighborhood most of my life and I always felt very safe here."
"It's kind of scary," said Anita Loconti, who works in the neighborhood. "It was the middle of the afternoon."
Thursday afternoon, women in the neighborhood saw the attack as a reminder to keep their door locked at all times.
"It's not the city life it used to be where you can leave your door unlocked and trust everybody," said Teresa Ramirez. "Nowadays, you have to watch your doors. It's scary and it's sad."
"I feel real bad for her." Said Brad Hart, Director of the Wrightwood Neighborhood Association "We're going to keep informing the neighborhood, make sure your doors are locked, windows closed, make sure you're not walking alone at night."
Police have a very sketchy description of the suspect because he was wearing a mask.
They're hoping someone saw him walk in the front door before he put on the disguise.
Local residents expressed they'd like to see more police presence in Lincoln Park. A few weeks ago, there was a stabbing death a couple blocks away, so people in the area have been on edge.
