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Man Charged In Two Sexual Assaults

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two rapes and robberies in one day - on different ends of town, but police say they have their man. CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez has more on the arrest of a Lincoln Park man who police say has struck before.

30-year-old James Whiteside, also known as James Fisher, is charged with eight felonies in connection to attacks on two women last Friday on the West and Northwest sides of the city.

First at Harlem and Barry, where Police say he attacked a 23-year-old woman leaving a White Castle around 2:30 a.m., forced her into her car, then raped and robbed her.

Later at about 4:15, they say he forced a 69-year old woman into her car in a parking lot near the Midway Orange Line stop. She was allegedly threatened with scissors and raped. But that was just part of her ordeal.

"Basically he kidnapped at least one woman and drove her around to ATMs stealing money at the same time. As a result of that our detectives were working at the bank in the neighborhood to develop some leads and identify him and arrest him." Said McCarthy.

McCarthy said Whiteside has struck before. His lengthy rap sheet goes back 13 years, and includes: domestic battery, possession of a firearm, and aggravated sexual assault.

"We've got him for two rapes. He's got an extensive criminal history. Our detectives did a nice job in response to it," said McCarthy.

Whiteside was to have appeared in bond court today, but missed it while in the hospital. Police won't say why he was hospitalized, but told the judge he'll appear tomorrow.

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