River Forest police have arrested a registered sex offender after he attempted to kidnap a village resident by forcing her into his vehicle and driving off. The woman fought her kidnapper, and was able to escape the vehicle.
Tracey Taylor, 44, who is homeless, is charged with five felonies, including attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault, kidnapping, attempted robbery, aggravated battery and unlawful restraint.
Taylor allegedly approached the 37-year-old female victim on the 1300 block of William shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday, and then grabbed the victim by her arms and body and forced her into his car.
Taylor began to flee the area but the victim fought back by biting Taylor in the arm and repeatedly turning off the vehicle ignition. She eventually escaped the vehicle, and her screams alerted observers to call 911.
River Forest police officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the call, at about 7:50 p.m., and arrested Taylor. The victim was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and later released.
River Forest Deputy Chief Craig Rutz said Taylor’s criminal history includes a violent sexual assault for which he was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Rutz said the judge in that trial described the assault as one of the most violent attacks he had ever encountered.
Rutz praised the River Forest victim’s efforts to escape her attacker.
“You never give up. You keep fighting until you’re not breathing anymore,” Rutz said. “This woman understood that.”
