Robber Attacks Woman In Park Bathroom: Police

ELGIN, IL -- An Elgin man is accused of following a woman into a bathroom at Festival Park on Saturday morning, beating her and taking her belongings before he ran away, police said. The attack occurred at about 9:45 a.m. at the park, 132 S. Grove Ave. The man, who has been identified as Raphael Thomas, 47, was found a short time later after Elgin police officers conducted a canvass of the area, according to a post on the Elgin Police Department Facebook page.

The victim, who sustained minor injuries, was treated and released at the scene by paramedics, police said.

Thomas, of the 400 block of Sherman Avenue in Elgin, has been charged with one count of robbery, a Class 2 felony. Thomas remained in custody as of Monday morning, according to online court records.

Elgin Police Department Chief Ana Lalley thanked witnesses and the victim in the attack for quickly reporting the crime.

"I would like to thank the community for quickly assisting the victim and providing information to the officers that resulted in the swift apprehension of Mr. Thomas," Lalley said.

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PHOTO VIA THE ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT