Watch CBS News

Elderly Woman Raped In Field Behind Orland Park Home Depot

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (STMW) -- An 83-year-old woman was attacked and sexually assaulted in a field behind a southwest suburban Home Depot store Friday morning while trying to help a man she believed was homeless. 

About 11:15 a.m., Orland Park police received a 911 call from the woman reporting she was attacked and sexually assaulted in a field behind Home Depot at 7300 W. 159th St. in Orland Park.

The woman said she was trying to help the male suspect, who she believed was homeless and living in the woods behind the store. He knocked her to the ground and sexually assaulted her before being scared off by a passing police car, according to police.

The man may have fled on a black bicycle that was near the scene. The woman was taken to Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest and treated for minor injuries. 

The attacker is described as white man 35 to 45, 5-foot-8 with a thin build, curly red hair and a red beard. He was missing some teeth and possibly wearing a black leather jacket and carrying a black backpack.

Several agencies are searching for the man, including the Cook County Sheriffs' Canine Unit, Air Unit and Forest Preserve District; as well as Tinley Park, Oak Forest and Orland Hills police.

Anyone with information should call (708) 349-4111.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.