Sheriff: Missing Aurora man might have fled to escape sex charges
A missing 85-year-old Aurora man might have fled to Mexico to avoid charges he sexually assaulted a girl younger than 13, authorities said Monday.
Enrique Ruiz, of the 0-99 block of Farnsworth Avenue, was reported missing Sunday afternoon by family members after he failed to return from a walk Friday afternoon at the Oakhurst Forest Preserve.
“Additional information has been obtained by investigators showing that Ruiz has a pending trial in Kane County for allegation of criminal sexual assault involving a family member. The sheriff’s office is investigating the possibility that Ruiz fled to Mexico where he owns property,” Kane County Sheriff’s Lt. Pat Gengler said.
“The sheriff’s office has not ruled out the possibility that he did walk into the Oakhurst Forest Preserve and is still missing. A daylight search of the preserve is being conducted with assistance from several search and rescue groups and K-9 teams,” Gengler said.
Ruiz is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has gray hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue jacket and a sweater of an unknown color.
According to Kane County court records, Ruiz was arrested in June 2011 and charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The allegations are that he assaulted a girl younger from June 2004 through November 2010, records show, and if convicted of the most serious charge, he faces six to 30 years in prison.
Ruiz was free on $25,000 bail and a jury trial, after numerous delays, is set for Dec. 9.
If Ruiz cannot be located, he can still be tried.A phone message left with Eduardo Gil, who is listed as Ruiz’s defense attorney, was not immediately returned.