Man, 44, Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teenage Co-Worker

LAKE COUNTY, IL – Bond has been set at $100,000 for a 44-year-old Highwood man accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman he worked with, police said. Victor Manuel Martinez-Lopez, of the 300 block of Ashland Avenue, is charged with unlawful restraint and criminal sexual assault, both felony charges, and battery, a misdemeanor charge, according to a news release from the Vernon Hills Police Department. Authorities launched an investigation into the sexual assault after a father called police to report that he allegedly observed Martinez-Lopez pin his daughter against the wall of the restaurant where both worked in the 1200 block of South Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills.

The father said the man then kissed the 19-year-old woman, according to the news release. The incident occurred on April 14 and the father reported the alleged sex assault to police two days later.

Investigators worked closely with officials from the Lake County Children Advocacy Center to conduct an extensive investigation into the incident, police said.

"The investigation revealed that the reported incident involved the suspect committing a sexual assault on the victim," according to the news release.

Martinez-Lopez was arrested on May 2 at a different place of employment in Highland Park and was taken to the Vernon Hills Police Department, police said. Bond was set at $100,000 during a hearing on Thursday.

He is next expected in court on May 29.

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