Uber Driver Rescues Woman From Sexual Assailant In River Forest: Police

RIVER FOREST — An Uber driver saved a River Forest woman who was fleeing her attacker Thursday, according to a statement from Cook County Sheriff's Office. Santos C. Berrones, 32, of River Forest has been charged with criminal sexual assault after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman who tried to evade him, police said.

Berrones allegedly approached the victim at a restaurant and began talking to her and kissing her multiple times. According to Chicago Tribune, Berrones then allegedly led her out of the restaurant and to his apartment in the 400 block of Franklin Avenue. Once there, police said the victim went into the restroom to call an Uber to pick her up.

Berrones then allegedly forced the victim to have sex with him, according to police. The victim told police that she protested multiple times and then tried to distract Berrones by saying she would have sex with him if he put on a condom. While Berrones was distracted, the victim told police she fled his apartment, where her Uber driver saw Berrones trying to drag her back into his home. The driver told police he demanded that Berrones leave the victim alone, calling Berrones "a pervert."

Berrones was taken into custody at approximately 3:20 a.m. after police spoke with the Uber driver who rescued the woman. A DNA test of Berrones is pending, according to Chicago Tribune. He is currently being held on $150,000 bond.

>Image via Cook County Sheriff's Office