Wheaton Man Sexually Assaulted Woman In Car While Her 6-Year-Old Son Was In Backseat: Cops

WHEATON, IL — A Wheaton man faces felony charges after police say he sexually assaulted a woman in his apartment and in his car in front of her six-year-old son before fleeing to Tennessee.

Abel Rosales Ventura, 29, of the 1300 block of Main Street, was charged with three counts of sexual assault Thursday. Rosales Ventura had been held in Tennessee since late June and was recently transported to DuPage County.

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During a traffic stop on June 21, a woman told police her friend, Rosales Ventura, had hit her. She was escorted to a nearby hospital, where she told staff she had been sexually assaulted.

According to police, the woman had gone to Rosales Ventura's apartment on the evening of June 20 with her son, 6. Rosales Ventura is accused of throwing the woman onto his bed grabbing her neck and attempting to block her mouth and nose, a news release said.

Police say the woman regained consciousness at 4 a.m. and she, her son and Rosales Ventura went to Rosales Ventura's car.

Rosales Ventura is accused of taking her phone and sexually assaulting her while her son sat in the backseat.

Prosecutors say he fled to Tennessee shortly after and was arrested after DuPage County issued a warrant.

"The apprehension of the defendant in this case is the first step in achieving justice and sends a crystal-clear message that in DuPage County, anyone who commits such a horrendous crime, as alleged in this case, cannot flee responsibility and will be captured, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, "I commend the survivor in this case for having the courage to come forward and for her cooperation throughout the investigation and I wish her strength as she contends with the physical and psychological trauma she has endured. I applaud the Wheaton Police Department for their fine police work that led to the apprehension of the defendant in this case and for the care and compassion they showed to the survivor."

Rosales Ventura is set to appear in court again on Monday.