Crystal Lake man guilty in kidnapping case

A 57-year-old Crystal Lake man faces up to 30 years in prison for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend in a 2009 attempt to rape her in the basement of a vacant store and post a video of the act online.

Steven W. Hess, of the 400 block of West Virginia Street, plead guilty to aggravated kidnapping and attempted criminal sexual assault Thursday.

On December 9, 2009, Hess confronted his 53-year-old ex-girlfriend as she left her workplace on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. He then dragged her into his car, tied a rope around her neck and bound her hands with zip ties, according to authorities.

Hess, who worked as a property manager, drove her to a vacant store he managed, where he had set up a makeshift bed, more rope and condoms in a basement accessible through a hidden floor panel, authorities said.

The woman was able to break free once inside the business. She ran outside, where Hess sprayed her with pepper spray and struck her in the face multiple times, according to authorities. A passer-by saw the attack and yelled at Hess before calling police.

Hess let the woman go and was arrested the next day after police found him hiding near his burning car in a field south of Woodstock.

While in custody, Hess told police he had planned to have sex with the victim and post it on the Internet before committing suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 6. Hess will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence.