A Near West Side man followed a woman as she walked home from a West Town bar, dragged her into a construction site, and beat her earlier this month, prosecutors said Tuesday. Authorities did not give a motive for the attack, which police described as an attempted criminal sexual assault in a community alert from detectives earlier this month.
Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Burkhardt said the 28-year-old woman decided to walk home alone after drinking with a friend until about midnight on May 8. She noticed a man sitting in a car near a stop sign and then realized he had begun following her on foot and even crossed the street when she did, Burkhardt said.
The man caught up with her and grabbed her from behind until she screamed and ran away. He chased her, dragged her into a construction site on the 400 block of North Morgan, and threw her to the ground while threatening to kill her, according to Burkhardt and information from CPD.
The attacker reportedly pinned the woman to the ground behind a bulldozer and put his hands on her mouth to muffle her screams. According to Burkhardt, when the woman bit the offender’s hand, he punched her in the face three times while hovering over her.
Eventually, the woman was able to fight free, and the attacker ran from the construction site, according to Burkhardt. She flagged down a passing motorist who allowed her into their car to call 911. Burkhardt said the driver then followed the suspect’s car and made note of its make, model, and license plate number.
All of the events, except what happened in the construction site, were reportedly captured on a series of surveillance cameras. According to Burkhardt, detectives used vehicle information from the good Samaritan to identify its owner and then included a picture of her son, Darquan Massey, in a photo array. The woman allegedly selected Massey’s picture in the line-up.
Police arrested Massey at O’Hare International Airport, where his defense attorney said he works as a passenger assistant. Massey, 24, has no criminal background, according to prosecutors and his defense attorney.
Prosecutors charged him with kidnapping and aggravated battery, but Burkhardt made no mention of any sexual motive during Massey’s bond court hearing Tuesday.
Judge Charles Beach said the allegations have “a stalking type nature” and noted, “whatever purpose [the alleged attack had] is not currently charged.” Beach then set bail for Massey at $50,000 and ordered him to maintain a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew if he can post a 10% deposit bond.
