Man Arrested for Sex Assault at Outdoor Track

PALATINE, IL — Authorities in Palatine have arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman while she ran at an outdoor track in town earlier this month. Palatine Police investigators were able to obtain photos of the suspect from surveillance cameras near the outdoor track at Falcon Park Recreation Center, 2195 North Hicks Road, following the July 13 attack, which were shared with media outlets across the Chicago area.

During the investigation, several witnesses identified the suspect in the photos as Simon Alcantar-Cruz, according to a news release from the Palatine Police Department.

According to police, Alcantar-Cruz sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman who'd been running at the outdoor track at 9:20 p.m. July 13. The young woman didn't know the offender and was able to fight him off, according to the release.

She was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that are not considered life-threatening, and the suspect fled the scene, police said.

Alcantar-Cruz, 28, of unincorporated Palatine was arrested Wednesday and charged with Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony), Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony) and Unlawful Restraint (Class 4 Felony).

His bond has been set at $750,000, and he is next expected in court on Aug. 22.

MORE ON PATCH

Palatine Police Search For Falcon Park Sexual Assault Suspect