Police: Woman sexually assaulted in Palatine bar

A Wheeling man appeared in court Monday facing allegations he sexually assaulted a woman Saturday in a downtown Palatine bar.

Eric Rubio, 23, of the 200 block of Renee Terrace, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and attempted unlawful delivery of a controlled substance stemming from the allegations, Palatine police said Monday. He appeared at a hearing Monday at the Cook County courthouse in Rolling Meadows, where bond was set at $50,000 on the felony charges.

Police said officers were called about 10 p.m. Saturday to Lamplighter Inn Tavern and Grille, 60 N. Bothwell St., for a reported sexual assault. Authorities said Rubio, who is known by his accuser, followed the woman to the restroom area of the bar and offered her cocaine. When she refused, police said, he entered the women's bathroom and sexually assaulted her in a stall.

Authorities said the attack stopped after a patron alerted Lamplighter security that a man was in the women's restroom. Police said bar security helped officers locate Rubio before he could leave.

Rubio's next court date is set for Feb. 2, Authorities said he'll be placed on electronic monitoring if he is released on bail.