A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman Friday on the CTA Yellow Line, and charged with felonies, will be held in custody following a judge’s ruling. The woman fought the attacker but was injured, per Evanston police, and first responders took her to a hospital.
Evanston police said in a statement they arrested Mikel Gordon, homeless, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s has charged him with aggravated attempted criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery, both felonies.
Evanston police responded about 1 a.m. Sept. 12 to a report of an unprovoked attack on a female victim while the Yellow Line train was traveling near Dodge Avenue and Mulford Street in the suburb, police said in the Monday statement.
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After police issued a bulletin with the attacker’s description, observers called in just before 10:30 a.m. Saturday with reports that a man matching the description, including the clothing, was at the Howard Street CTA Station in the 7500 block of Paulina, Chicago, the statement said.
A Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office document states Gordon “attempted to commit an attempted act of sexual penetration by attempting to unbutton and pull the victim’s pants down multiple times. After being unsuccessful he untucked the victim’s shirt, pulled up all her shirts and bra exposing her breasts.”
The complaint added he undid his pants, exposed his genitals and began manipulating them.
The complaint also stated Gordon “battered the victim” by grabbing around her waist and slamming her to the floor. In addition, her face hit a pole, causing major bruising, scratches and a broken rib.
The victim fought off the offender, who fled the area on foot. She was treated at a local hospital and later released, according to police.
Cook County Judge Anthony Calabrese approved the State’s Attorney’s Office request to keep Gordon in the custody of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office during his pretrial process.
Cook County court records show Gordon was also charged with felony aggravated battery against a transit employee in August. He was accused of committing battery against a Pace Bus driver in the 4200 block of St. Charles Road in Bellwood.
Gordon has also been charged with three unrelated misdemeanors, per records. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Pioneer Press reporter Richard Requena contributed to this story.