Elgin teen charged in jogger assaults on Fox River Trail

A 19-year-old Elgin man has been charged with assaulting two female joggers along the Fox River Trail, police said Tuesday.

Francisco Cruz, of the 100 block of Center Street, was arrested Dec. 11 by Kane County Forest Preserve District police on charges of unlawful restraint, aggravated battery and aggravated unlawful restraint, according to a news release.

Police said the assaults took place near Covey Street and Elgin Avenue in Elgin on Sept. 27 and Dec. 1. In each case, the joggers were attacked from behind.

Laurie Metanchuk, director of community affairs for the forest preserve district, said the earlier attack involved a 30-year-old East Dundee woman who was nearly pulled into the attacker's car before breaking free.

The woman in the second attack told police she was hit over the head with a blunt object and lost consciousness. When she awoke, the attacker was standing over her, Metanchuk said. It was unclear how she escaped.

Both victims gave matching descriptions of the attacker's older-model, tan car, officials said. The case was investigated by Elgin and forest preserve police.

"This is an outstanding example of interagency teamwork and cooperation from the victims," said Michael Gilloffo, director of public safety for the forest preserve.

Cruz remained in the Kane County jail Tuesday on $50,000 bond, pending a Thursday court appearance. He also faces misdemeanor domestic battery charges in two unrelated cases, court records show.