Woman Tackled Off Bicycle By Joliet Sexual Assault Defendant: JPD

JOLIET, IL —Joliet criminal defendant Michael Arthur Severado Jr. tackled a woman off her bicycle on Gardner Street, pulling her by her hair and attempting to sexually assault her, according to Wednesday's Joliet Police Department criminal complaint.

The violent crime happened June 29, and Severado was arrested Wednesday by members of the Will County Sheriff's Office, almost escaping out a window in their squad car, another set of criminal charges show.

On Thursday, Will County Judge Dave Carlson decided that the 28-year-old Severado would not be eligible for any bail. However, as of 6 p.m., the Will County Sheriff's Office still listed Severado's bail at $75,000, even though that amount is incorrect.

Joliet Patch obtained multiple documents at the Will County Courthouse on Thursday, plainly stating that Carlson issued no bond for Severado.

Two separate criminal complaints were filed against Severado. In the one by Joliet police, Severado is charged with attempted criminal sexual assault, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of unlawful restraint.

According to that complaint, Severado tried to sexually assault the woman on Gardner Street, grabbing her about the body and pulling her toward a vehicle. The second charge indicates Sevarado tried to strangle her.

While the victim was on Gardner Street, a public right of way, Severado tackled the victim off her bicycle and pulled her by her hair, the complaint stated.

Then, more than two weeks later, members of the Will County Sheriff's Office were responsible for making the arrest of Severado on Wednesday, court records indicate.

On Thursday, the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow charged Severado with two counts of attempted escape and one count of obstructing a peace officer.

The Will County Sheriff's Office complaint stated that on Wednesday, Severado, "while being transported in a squad car following his arrest, freed one of his hands from the handcuffs he was in and began to go out the squad car window."

One of his other escape charges indicates Severado "unbuckled his seat belt and moved toward the door" while handcuffed and in the lawful custody of two Will County Sheriff's deputies.

His third charge states that when the two sheriff's deputies tried to re-handcuff Severado, he pulled away from them.

Severado lives in the 1000 block of Joliet's Nowell Avenue on the city's east side.

On Feb. 28, Joliet Patch reported that Joliet police arrested Severado, then 27, after officers say he strangled a 27-year-old woman that he knew with both hands inside the Motel 6 on Mall Loop Drive. The attack happened around 7:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Although Joliet police arrested Severado on felony charges of aggravated battery, the Will County State's Attorney's Office opted to lower the charges. As a result, Severado was charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery. Court records show Severado has his next pretrial hearing in Courtroom 801 on Sept. 8.