Man charged with sex abuse of teen

A Niles man was charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl Sunday after Wheeling police said an officer spotted him with the underage girl in a car about 5 a.m. Sunday, according to authorities.

Eduardo Patino, 24, of the 8300 block of Octavia Avenue, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a felony punishable by three to seven years in prison, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Lesley Gool.

While writing a traffic citation on the 200 block of Second Street, a police officer on patrol noticed some movement of the car and discovered Patino inside with a 15-year-old girl, according to authorities.

The officer approached the car, but Patino tried to drive away, saying he was going to drive the girl home, authorities said. The officer detained him. The confrontation was recorded by the squad car’s on board camera.

Patino told the officer he and the girl met on Facebook and attended a party where they consumed alcohol, according to authorities. Police said Patino told police he knew the girl was underage. At about 4:30 a.m., the girl asked Patino to drive her home, police said. He said he would do so in exchange for sexual favors, which she refused, police said. He then assaulted her, police said.

Cook County Judge Anthony Iosco set Patino’s bail at $100,000 during a hearing Monday in Rolling Meadows.