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Good Samaritan Chases Off Attacker Near Orange Line Station

(CBS) -- Police are searching for the suspect who sexually assaulted a woman in broad daylight near a CTA Orange Line station.

The attack occurred shortly before 9 a.m. last Wednesday at a parking lot that sits right next to the CTA bus and el stop at 35th and Archer in McKinley Park.

A Good Samaritan came to the victim's rescue and stopped it from getting worse.

CBS 2's Marissa Bailey reports Jimmy Drougas, the owner of Auto's "R" Us, didn't want to be on camera but says he was in the back lot of his garage and saw the whole thing happen.

"He ran up to her - lifted up her dress and pulled her panties down," he said. "As soon as I heard her scream, I took off running after him."

Two doors down, Francisco Cruz, who doesn't speak much English, saw the suspect run and immediately started following…

"He said he kind of still pursued him down the block but he said by the time they got here - he got away," Cruz said through an interpreter.

The witnesses called 911 but the man was never found.

"These are areas that people have to be cautious," said 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas.

Cardenas says it is a high traveled area with many people walking to and from the CTA and more eyes would help.

"We obviously need in these areas probably a little more surveillance and police presenc and that could be both accomplished from the CTA and the police department," said Cardenas.

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