Local Police Reports

Watch: Park Forest Police Announce Arrest of Suspect in Groping Attacks on Women


Monroe L. Akins, 37, of Steger
Monroe L. Akins, 37, of Steger. (Photo: PFPD)

Watch press conference below.

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Members of the Park Forest Police Department conducted a press conference this morning regarding the arrest of Monroe Akins, age 37, of Steger, the suspect in a series of groping cases that have taken place in Park Forest and two neighboring communities.

Deputy Chief Christ Mannino read a prepared statement after introducing other members of the department present at the public event. They included Detective Commander Paul Winfrey, Det. Corporal Jon Sweitzer, Det. Paul Morache, Det. Justin Rimovsky, and Det. John DeCeault.

Resident Tanya Wilson attended the press conference. "We’re just glad he’s caught," she said, adding that she still feels safer in Park Forest than she did when she lived in Chicago. Ms. Wilson was not a victim.

The prepared statement follows:

"Today, the Park Forest Police Department is pleased to announce that after months of intensive investigation, an arrest has been made in a series of groping cases that have taken place in Park Forest and two other neighboring communities since March of this year.

"Monroe Akins, age 37, of Steger is charged with 4 counts of Aggravated Battery, 3 counts of Criminal Sexual Abuse, and 2 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse.  Of nine similar groping incidents that have occurred in the area, the charges listed against Akins clear 6 of those attacks – four in Park Forest and two in Richton Park.  Akins is the primary suspect in the remaining 3 incidents in Park Forest, and while charges have not been filed at this time, those investigations continue. 

"While there was little physical evidence left in these attacks, descriptions provided by victims and witnesses allowed composite sketches to be completed by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police, which were shared with the community, resulting in dozens of tips.

composite drawings of suspect
Police said these composite drawings by Cook County Sheriff’s Police proved very helpful in the investigation. (PFPD)

"After spending hundreds of man-hours since March, the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Unit identified Akins as a person of interest. Akins was picked-out in a photo array by victims and witnesses in several of the attacks.  After further investigation, Mr. Akins was taken into custody and was again positively identified in a physical line-up as the offender in multiple attacks.  Investigators served a search warrant on Mr. Akins’ residence in Steger where they recovered clothing matching detailed descriptions provided by victims. 

Monroe L Akins. (Open Source Facebook photos, Source: PFPD)
Monroe L Akins. (Open Source Facebook photos, Source: PFPD)

"The Park Forest Police Department Investigations Unit worked closely with investigators from the Matteson and Richton Park Police Departments to discover any links to incidents in those jurisdictions as well, resulting in the clearance of two incidents in Richton Park. Akins was not identified in the April 24th sexual assault on Old Plank Trail in Matteson, and that investigation continues as well.  The Park Forest Police Department will continue to work closely with the Matteson and Richton Park Police Departments in clearing any remaining cases.  

"Monroe Akins appeared at the Cook County Courthouse at 26th Street and California for a felony bond hearing on Saturday, August 2, 2014, and received a $750,000 bond remains in custody at this time."

Mannino went on to thank members of the public who offered tips and information, the Cook County Sheriff’s police for providing the composite sketches, and additionally thanked the victims involved for their assistance.

Park Forest detectives worked "hundreds of hours" on these cases since March, according to police.

Press Conference announcing arrest of suspect (ENEWSPF)

The following is a list of locations and dates of incidents police allege are cleared by Akins’ arrest, beginning with each case number:

Park Forest

14-03111: March 18, 2014 in Winnebago Park
15-year-old victim
Charge: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (weapon) – Class 2 Felony

14-03177: March 20, 2014 atWestgate St./ Westwood Drive
17-year-old victim
Charges: Aggravated Battery (Public Way) – Class 3 Felony, Criminal Sexual Abuse – Class 4 Felony

14-03677: March 31, 2014 at Sangamon St./ Shabbona Dr.
16-year-old victim
Charges: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (victim under 17 and offender greater than five years older) – Class 2 Felony

14-07937: June 22, 2014 at Antietam St./  Indiana St.
18-year-old victim
Charges: Aggravated Battery (Public Way) – Class 3 Felony, Criminal Sexual Abuse – Class 4 Felony

Richton Park

14-02953: April 22, 2104 at Sauk Trail/ Metra Station
44-year-old victim
Aggravated Battery (Public Way) – Class 3 Felony

14-04265: June 3, 2014 at Polk St./ Lawndale Ave.
13-year-old victim
Charges: Aggravated Battery (Public Way) – Class 3 Felony, Criminal Sexual Abuse – Class 4 Felony

The following cases remain open and under investigatioin, although police said they are "extremely confident" that Akins eventually may be charged in connection wih these incidents:

Park Forest

13-12760: September 27, 2013  in Winnebago Park
13-year-old victim  (Victim presently not in area)
Robbery/Criminal Sexual Abuse

14-04722 April 22, 2014 at Rich Rd/Westwood
14-year-old victim
Criminal Sexual Abuse

14-8004 June 24, 2014 at Westwood/Rich
16-year-old victim  (No longer cooperating)
Criminal Sexual Abuse

Related:

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. All those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty.


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