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$5 million bail for suspect in sex assault of elderly Arlington Hts. woman

A Cook County judge set bail at $5 million Sunday for a Mount Prospect man behind bars on charges stemming from the sexual assault of a 97-year-old woman last month at an assisted living and retirement facility in Arlington Heights.

Frank Mendez, 51, of the 2000 block of West Algonquin Road, appeared in court for the first time Sunday on charges of home invasion, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery in connection with the Aug. 20 attack at Church Creek, near Central Road and Dwyer Avenue,

Police initially arrested Mendez on Thursday on a criminal trespassing charge stemming from a separate break-in the night of Aug. 20, in the 700 block of South Patton Circle.

According to a statement Sunday from Arlington Heights police, Mendez became a suspect in the sex assault during their investigation into the Patton Circle trespassing. As the investigation continued, police said, it was established that Mendez was the offender.

Police said the 97-year-old woman was assaulted at about 10:40 p.m. Aug. 20 by a man who entered her home through an unsecured window.

The woman was transported to Northwest Community Hospital, where she was treated and released.

Mendez was arrested Thursday after an officer saw him riding a bicycle in the area of Golf Road and Algonquin Road, and believed he matched the description of a sketch of the Patton Circle suspect.

In that case, police said, Mendez admitted he entered the home then left after being confronted by its owner. Nothing was taken, police said.

Mendez is scheduled to return to court Tuesday in Rolling Meadows.

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