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Critics Say Police Slow To Publicize West Side Attacks On Women

CHICAGO (WBBM) – Some community activists are critical, but police on Chicago's West Side are defending their investigation into eight early-morning attacks on women.

The first attack to fit the pattern occurred Aug. 28 on the 1100 block of North Lawndale Avenue, and Harrison Area Det. Cmdr. Anthony Riccio said police tailed a potential suspect for more than two weeks before determining he was not at fault. 

He said the other seven attacks have been spread out across the West Side, making it difficult to track them.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports

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In six of the cases, there was one armed attacker. Riccio said that in the other two cases, there were two.

In all eight cases, the gunman wore some type of mask and confronted the victims with a gun. At first, the gunman demanded cash or jewelry but then began fondling the women, all of whom have been between the ages of 18 and 32.

All of the attacks have occurred between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.  Riccio said some were returning from work or a health club, and in one case the woman was returning from a party. 

He said none of the women engaged in what he termed "a high-risk lifestyle."      

Riccio said police have tried to question the women "sensitively," and said not all have been cooperative, which he attributes to the trauma of the attacks.

South Austin Coalition representatives question why it took police so long to issue a community alert.

Riccio said the alert was issued Sept. 2, modified and re-released following the latest attack, before dawn Friday in the 600 block of North Leamington Avenue.

But Theresa Welch Davis of the South Austin Coalition said she had difficulty obtaining a copy of the community alert until she walked into to a local police station Thursday. 

Police are seeking the assistance of area residents who may have witnessed the attacks.

Riccio said that the investigation covers the Harrison and Grand-Central areas, and as many as five police districts.  He said officers are working on the case "around the clock."

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