(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Prosecutors in the northern suburbs have charged a Beach Park man in connection with last week’s sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl on the Robert McClory Bike Path.
The teen was attacked June 7 as she was walking along the path. A suspect with metal barrettes in his hair pulled her to the ground, removed her clothing and sexually assaulted the girl, authorities said.
A witness heard the girl screaming, and the offender fled on foot, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.
On Wednesday, 27-year-old Tramane Johnson was arrested after a hair sample obtained from the scene returned a match in the state's DNA database of offenders, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department announced.
Johnson’s DNA was in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) due to out of state weapons charges, authorities said.
“Hundreds of shares on social media, and dozens of messages and tips came in to aid our pursuit of justice for the victim. Ultimately, a DNA sample was obtained which enabled us to identify the suspect, take him into custody and begin the healing process for the victim,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a prepared statement.
Johnson — who currently faces two counts of attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse — is being held at the Lake County Jail.
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