Safety Alert: Intruder Targeting Women in Bedrooms on North Side

The break-ins started on Friday when it was dark out. Police issued a community alert warning Wicker Park residents of three break-ins.

Police and the alderman say they fear if the man who is committing them isn’t caught soon, he’ll strike again.

The first incident happened about 10:45 p.m. on the 1200 block of North Wood. The victims said they heard from a rear bedroom that was locked from the inside. They forced entry and saw the suspect had escaped through a window.

Then, about 11:15 p.m. on the 1800 block of West Evergreen Avenue, it happened again. This time a woman said she woke to the man on top of her. Again, half-naked, and with his hand over her mouth. She begged for help and broke free, but the offender got out through a window again.

A third time, in the early morning hours of Saturday, about 12:45 a.m., a victim awoke to the man with his pants down, hover over her, but he escaped again through an open window when she pleaded with him not to hurt her.

“This is the kind of thing that really shakes people up,” said Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd. “We suspect the offender was watching from a block away.”

Neighbor Dan Garcia says he’ll lock his doors and windows tighter.

Another neighbor, Rebecca decoursey, says it’s scary and that typically she feels safe in the neighborhood.

“But the lack of police presenece influences some of what we see,” she added.

Hopkins is advising residents to keep windows locked, especially those in back or in alleys where people can’t see from the street.

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