Chicago police seek leads in violent sexual attack on elderly woman

CHICAGO - Chicago police are searching for the suspect who forced his way into an elderly woman’s home on Wednesday night and sexually assaulted her.

The disturbing crime unfolded in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

What we know:

The incident happened just before 7 p.m. near 82nd Street and Ashland Avenue.

"It's heartbreaking," said Ald. David Moore. "It just made me very angry."

On Wednesday evening, an armed man allegedly broke into the 82-year-old woman’s home through a window.

Once inside, police say he struck the woman in the face, knocking her to the ground, before he sexually assaulted her.

"Tried to rob her and then when you can't rob her, you sexually assault her," Moore said.

After the attack, the suspect fled the scene.

Alderman David Moore, who represents the 17th Ward, says he is sickened by what happened and shares the distress it is causing the victim, whose otherwise quiet evening turned into a nightmare scenario.

"She is feeling right now that she can't even go back to her home—ever," Moore said.

First responders arrived and transported the victim to the hospital, where officials say she was listed in good condition.

Moore has been in contact with the woman’s relatives and on Thursday, he issued a community alert about the attack—encouraging neighbors to continue looking out for one another.

"At the end of the day, you want to make sure that especially our seniors are safe, that's what's important to me," Moore said.

What we don't know:

No suspect description has been released.

What's next:

Chicago police continue to investigate and urge anyone with information to contact Area Two detectives or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com.