Police Are Searching For Suspect Who Attacked An Elderly Woman In Palos Hills
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police are looking for a person who grabbed an elderly woman while she was watering flowers Monday night in southwest suburban Palos Hills.
About 9 p.m., the woman was watering flowers outside in the 7800 block of West 100th Street when a male she didn't know approached and "surprised" her, according to a statement from Palos Hills police.
"That's when I got scared."
74-year-old Jeanine Di Christofano showed CBS 2 the spot where she said a man attacked her after she watered her plants on Monday night.
"I saw him running across the lawn at me," she said.
Di Christofano said she screamed for help and tired to spray the man with her garden hose, but it did not work.
"I told him what do you want, get out of here, leave me alone," she said. "He told me to shut up. He grabbed my arm which is why I have black and blue marks."
Fortunately her husband walked out and scared the suspect away.
Palos Hills Police released a sketch of the suspect. They said two other women reported being attacked by a man who matches that description in a similar manner. Once on Sycamore Lane on Tuesday night, then on Southwest Highway in neighboring Worth on Wednesday.
Chief Paul Madigan said they put out a community alert and hope to catch the suspect soon.
"We brought blood hounds and canines," Madigan said. "We've thrown all of our resources to try to find this guy."
Police believe the man is looking for isolated areas to attack his victims. That is why they sent out an alert on robocalls for residents to be vigilant day or night.
If you recognize the suspect in the sketch, please contact police.
