63-year-old Chicago woman beaten during home invasion

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - A woman was beaten and bound during a home invasion in the city’s Austin neighborhood Saturday night, according to police.

Police said it happened in the 5000 block of West Van Buren St. at about 8:30 p.m.

“I've been here over 35 years. It used to be a lot safer and it's not anymore,” said Shirley Harris, who lives a few doors down.

A man heavy set black male wearing all black, according to police, knocked on the woman's door before forcing his way inside when she answered. Once there, police said he used string to bound her hands and feet before beating her. As the violent attack continued, police said he tried to take off the victim’s clothes but ran away, allowing the victim to run to a neighbor’s house and call police. 

“With the apartments this close and he took that chance, I think he's in this area,” said community activist and crisis responder Andrew Holmes, who was leaving flyers with neighbors on Sunday afternoon. “To the perpetrator who did this, it's just a matter of time before you're apprehended because you were dead wrong."

But the person who committed such a horrible act is still somewhere out there, causing pause for the people who live here.

“I'm very leery,” Harris said.

The victim was taken to Mt. Sinai with bruises to her face where he condition was stabilized, according to police.