From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
Man charged in string of Avondale sexual attacks
Witnesses helped police arrest a suspect in three attacks on women and a teen that happened minutes apart Friday night.
In brief
Witnesses helped police arrest a suspect in three attacks on women and a teen that happened minutes apart Friday night. Witness photos of a suspect's license plate and FLOCK camera data led to the arrest of a man accused of three sexual attacks in under an hour. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Three attacks in 45 minutes
A man allegedly attacked two women and a 16-year-old girl in three separate Avondale incidents Friday night, all happening within minutes of each other.
Suspect charged and detained
Zayer Picado-Sevilla, 33, faces felony charges including aggravated criminal sexual abuse and attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault.
Red sedan linked the cases
Investigators connected the attacks through a red sedan that Picado-Sevilla was seen driving at the time of each incident.
First attack at 8:05 p.m.
A 39-year-old woman on her nightly walk was grabbed, groped, and knocked to the ground in the 3300 block of North Springfield Avenue.
Bystander chased the attacker
A man who heard the first victim's screams from a nearby CTA stop ran over, confronted Picado-Sevilla, and briefly chased him.
Second attack 13 minutes later
A 24-year-old woman walking home from a friend's house was grabbed from behind at 8:18 p.m., just blocks from the first attack.
Neighbor photographed the license plate
A neighbor heard the second victim's screams, ran from his apartment, and photographed the car's license plate as the suspect fled.
Teen attacked near ice cream shop
At 8:50 p.m., a 16-year-old girl walking home after stopping at an ice cream shop was grabbed, struck repeatedly, and dragged toward the car.
Girl escaped when car passed
The teen collapsed and covered herself but escaped after Picado-Sevilla opened the car door as a passerby drove past.
FLOCK cameras tracked the vehicle
Officers ran a FLOCK investigation based on the times of the three incidents and found the vehicle was registered to Picado-Sevilla's address.
Arrested during traffic stop Monday
Police pulled Picado-Sevilla over Monday for a traffic stop and detained him for driving with an open alcohol container and no valid license.
Suspect claimed he was drunk
Picado-Sevilla allegedly said he was "being chased" and was "drunk" during the alleged attacks, prosecutors said.
Next court date set for October
A judge ordered Picado-Sevilla detained pending trial. He is due back in court on October 6.
The big picture
Witness photos of a suspect's license plate and FLOCK camera data led to the arrest of a man accused of three sexual attacks in under an hour.
