Stabbing victim, West Dundee police honor heroes

When Roxana Acevedo lay recovering in her hospital bed from a stab wound to the back, she wanted nothing more than to thank her rescuers face to face.

The 20-year-old from Carpentersville finally got the chance as West Dundee Police Chief Andrew Wieteska honored Sylvia Alevras, of Cary, and Steve Muscat, of West Dundee with civilian awards at Monday's village board meeting.

Police say Acevedo was stabbed with a bayonet in early April by her ex-boyfriend in a bathroom at Spring Hill Mall. Acevedo was working at the mall and after the attack solicited help from Muscat at a nearby kiosk.

Muscat apprehended the suspect, 20-year-old William R. Clark of Algonquin, while Alevras put pressure on the wound to slow bleeding until the police arrived.

Both Muscat and Alevras had been shopping at the mall.

"I met the suspect and the victim at the back of the store," Muscat said. "He told me he didn't want any trouble, and I said, 'You're in enough trouble as is now,' and I told him to stay put until the police arrived."

While Muscat detained Clark, Acevedo maintained consciousness with help from Alevras, who distracted her from the pain and told her she would live.

"Having (Alevras) hold my hand and tell me everything would be all right was the best thing in the world," Acevedo said. Muscat received a commendation for performing an act of personal danger, and Alevras received a lifesaving award. The last time the police department gave out citizens awards was 11 years ago, Wieteska said. A child was bit by a potentially rabid dog and, to keep her from having to undergo painful rabies testing, a man captured the loose dog and turned him over to authorities.

Wieteska was among police officers who initially responded to the incident and he, along with several other officers, recommended Muscat and Alevras' actions for the awards.

"The recognition was so surprising to me," Alevras said. "I was shocked that people would walk away from crime scenes without helping."

Wieteska attributed Alevras' comforting words and reassurance as key to Acevedo's survival. Both Muscat and Alevras spoke of their ability to stay calm.

"I really didn't even think about what I was getting into. I just took action," Muscat said. "Someone could have died if people looked the other way."

Upon invitation from Wieteska, Acevedo attended Monday night's meeting to see the faces of her rescuers and properly thank them for their actions. She talked to Alevras and "hugged her for the longest time," according to Acevedo. "At the time (of the stabbing), I didn't think much of what they did," Acevedo said. "But during recovery I kept thinking, 'Wow. That was incredible.'"

Acevedo has since returned to work at Bath & Body Works. Thanks to the swift action of Muscat and Alevras, Acevedo is expected to make a full recovery.

"All I wanted to do was save her," Alevras said. "I'm a mother of three. I just did what I needed to do."