Food truck workers in Belmont Cragin help woman after violent sexual assault

CHICAGO (WGN) – A 21-year-old man is behind bars, accused in a violent sexual assault that unfolded in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood last month.

The attack, believed to be random, happened around 3 a.m. on Aug. 31 in the 2300 block of North Lavergne Avenue, near Blackhawk Park.

According to police, the suspect is Leyter Arauz-Medina, who lives less than half a mile from the park. A judge denied Medina pre-trial release at a detention hearing on Sept. 2.

Prosecutors allege the victim, a 54-year-old woman, was walking on the sidewalk on Lavergne, next to Blackhawk Park, when the suspect spotted her. As she approached her building and took out her keys, they said Medina ran toward her from the park and grabbed her by her hair, pulling her to the ground.

The suspect stood her up and forced her across Lavergne, prosecutors said. The sounds of her screams were picked up by residents’ private surveillance video.

According to a detention proffer, the suspect forced the victim into the alleyway and threw her to the ground, where he forcefully removed her clothes before dragging her further into the alley. This was captured on a nearby POD camera.

Details of the violent attack, which court documents said continued in the alley, were first reported by CWB Chicago.

The suspect allegedly then strangled the victim.

“After strangling her, he then grabbed her by the hair with both of his hands and repeatedly slammed the back of her head into the concrete, causing her to lose consciousness,” the proffer read.

Prosecutors said the victim regained consciousness and tried to fight back, but the suspect again threw her to the ground and continued his sexual assault. As a vehicle approached, the suspect ran off, and the victim tried to seek help from the driver of the car, who left the area.

The woman was fully unclothed as she walked down Fullerton Avenue looking for help, prosecutors said. She came across a food truck parked nearby.

According to staff at Mexican restaurant El Azteca, the victim ran into their truck outside, where one worker was finishing up for the night. They said the woman was distraught and explained what happened.

A worker told WGN-TV the person inside the food truck called 911 and another worker who was inside the restaurant came outside with a towel to wrap around the victim.   

Court documents showed the victim, who had visible bruising to her knees, back, and arms, was able to describe her attacker in detail. At the spot where the assault happened, officers were able to find the victim’s belongings, including her clothes and purse, along with male clothing.

Medina took off from officers as they approached, but was quickly detained, court documents show. Suspected cocaine was found on the suspect, along with the victim’s clothing.

The proffer showed the victim was able to positively identify the suspect, who admitted taking cocaine, going to the park, and seeing the victim. He reportedly described the attack in detail to investigators.

“He described that he felt like he wanted to grab her and “do a bunch of other things,” read the proffer.

According to court records, Arauz-Medina’s case has been superseded by direct indictment. A new filing in the case, which WGN-TV has requested, was entered on Sept. 23. It is not clear whether it provides additional details on the alleged sexual assault or the suspect’s history.

He is due back in court on Oct. 6 for his next hearing.