Naperville Student Charged In Trail Attack

A 23-year-old student at the University of Illinois in Champaign was at the Will County Courthouse on Thursday after being arraigned on felony charges of aggravated battery in connection with an attack last May along the Old Plank Road Trail. The criminal investigation handled by the Forest Preserve District of Will County Police led authorities to William P. Sitton, a Naperville resident.

During Thursday's court hearing, Sitton entered a formal not-guilty plea. The crime occurred back on May 28, around 6:20 p.m. in New Lenox Township. At that time, someone grabbed a 21-year-old woman's arm and then her wrist as she was walked with her dog near a trail path close to the Hickory Creek Bikeway. The young woman broke free and police were summoned.

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In the days afterward, Forest Preserve police publicized a photo of two men, the attacker and a witness to the incident. In recent months, the case went before a Will County grand jury and Sitton was charged with committing the attack.

“Forest Preserve officers were able to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect and on Oct. 31, he was apprehended in Champaign where he is attending college,” Forest Preserve Police Chief Tracy Chapman said in a statement released Friday morning.

“Our officers worked tirelessly to make an arrest in this case,” she said. “We want to thank the public for their cooperation, and let them know that their safety is our No. 1 goal.”

The charge of aggravated battery in a public place against Sitton carries up to two to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000, officials noted.

Mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department