Good Samaritans Thwart Sexual Assault Attempt On Illinois College Student

A man in Illinois who attempted to attack a college student and sexually assault her was stopped when several eyewitnesses intervened, police said.

On May 18 around 6:30 a.m., the 27-year-old woman was walking when the alleged offender grabbed her from behind on the Northwestern University campus, knocked her to the ground and tried to take off her pants. Good Samaritans who witnessed the incident rushed to her aid, and the man fled the scene, Chicago’s WFLD reported.

The student suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

Evanston police pulled surveillance video and noted the suspect was wearing a distinct red, white and black jacket emblazoned with the word “Gucci” across the front. They also distributed photos of the man to various local law enforcement agencies.

At around 12:25 p.m., six hours after the attack, the Glencoe Public Safety Department responded to requests for a well-being check on a man whose appearance and jacket officers noted matched the description of the suspect from the assault in Evanston, authorities said.

Police took the man, Devonte Huggins, 20, into custody, and he allegedly made incriminating statements, according to WFLD.

Huggins faces charges of one felony count each of attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery in the public way, Evanston police said. His bail was set at $200,000.