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Several Women Punched In The Face Near Harold Washington Library; Suspect In Custody

CHICAGO (CBS)-- A man was in custody Friday afternoon, hours after several women reported being punched in the face outside the Harold Washington Library in the Loop.

Police said several people, possibly nine women, reported being hit just before 9 a.m. Friday outside the library, near Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street.

Paramedics rushed some of the victims to the hospital.

Friday afternoon, police said a man had been taken into custody in connection to the attacks. Authorities said they're now looking into at least seven people hit by a 44-year-old man. All the victims were women.

The Chicago Fire Department said four were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition. At least one of the victims with a bloody nose.

All apparently did not know their attacker, but the attacker is known all too well by police. CBS is not naming the man accused of punching people as he hasn't been formally charged, but CBS 2 dug into his lengthy criminal record.

He was arrested about 50 times in Cook County since 1993. Court records show he's been in and out of jail for years. Past allegations include battery and criminal damage to government property.

And after Chicago police arrested him, that list is likely to grow. All the victims are expected to be OK. Police added the number of those victims could increase as the investigation continues.

Charges could come as early as Friday night.

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