Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Park Forest police saved a woman from what must have been a terrifying ordeal in early February. And it all allegedly happened in town.
A Park Forest man was charged with unlawful restraint and kidnapping, both Class X felonies, after police responded to a call that a woman was being held against her will.
Police were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of Lakewood Boulevard on February 3 at 11:13 PM regarding a well-being check. They were advised that a female caller from Tennessee was calling to locate her sister who, according to the caller, was being held against her will and was being beaten by a male subject at the residence to which police were dispatched, according to police.
Officers approached the north front door of the residence. Half of the door was made of glass panels and officers were able to see inside the residence, according to police. The door was not covered by any blinds.
Officers observed an interior camera sitting on a cardboard box facing the front door. Officers looked through the bay window and observed clothing, suitcases, and miscellaneous items scattered throughout the foyer and living room area.
One officer initially knocked on the door several times and received no response. After several more knocks on the door, a male subject later identified as Joshua M. Augusta, 36, 373 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest, walked down the stairwell from the upstairs area. Augusta looked through the door and asked, “Who is it?” One of the officers announced his presence at which time a female subject walked down the stairs behind Augusta and looked at the officers through the window.
An officer immediately observed that the woman’s face was severely bruised and her right eye was completely black and blue.
Augusta did not open or unlock the front door as requested, according to police.
Augusta then allegedly gestured to the woman to go back upstairs. Officers again advised Augusta to open the door in order to check on the well-being of the woman. According to police, Augusta refused and began to walk upstairs behind the woman, at which time the officers yelled again, ordering Augusta to open the door.
He allegedly refused to do so.
According to police, Augusta then allegedly began pushing the woman up the stairs out of sight of the officers. Concerned for the woman’s safety, an officer forced entry to the door by kicking it open.
Upon entering the residence, Augusta and the woman were upstairs, out of sight of the officers. Police began yelling verbal commands for Augusta to return downstairs. Augusta walked downstairs at which time he was handcuffed, pending further investigation.
An officer spoke with the woman who stated that she had been beaten by Augusta over the course of several days and that he had not allowed her to leave the residence. She confirmed that she had sent a text message to her sister requesting that the Park Forest police be notified because she needed help.
Augusta was then transported to the Park Forest police station.
According to police the woman’s face was severely black and blue and she also had visible injuries to her arms. She was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical attention by the Park Forest Fire Department paramedics.
An officer responded to the hospital to speak with the woman further.
While at the hospital, the woman stated that she originally resided in Tennessee. Approximately three months ago, she moved to Chicago. She met Augusta at a McDonald’s near her hotel. She and Augusta dated for a few days prior to her moving in with Augusta on Lakewood Boulevard.
Initially, she and Augusta resided peacefully until Augusta allegedly began displaying a controlling behavior over her and would not allow her to leave the residence. She said she initially wanted Augusta to help her start a live WebCam Internet dancing service.
Augusta never assisted her with the Internet dancing service she wished to start, according to police.
Augusta allegedly destroyed two of three cell phones she had in her possession, preventing her from using them to contact family or friends. She managed to hide her third cell phone from Augusta.
On February 2, 2016, she questioned Augusta as to why she could not leave the house when Augusta allegedly picked up a pool ball and threw it at her face. He then allegedly started punching her in the face and body several times, according to police.
After being beaten, she managed to text her sister that she was being beaten and held against her will. She stated that during the three-week period that she resided with Augusta, he allegedly battered her several times.
Joshua M. Augusta was charged with unlawful restraint and kidnapping, both Class X felonies, according to police.
