Villa Park man faces sexual abuse, battery charges in attack on Illinois Prairie Path

A Villa Park man is charged with aggravated battery and sexual abuse in connection with a reported attack on a woman last week along the Illinois Prairie Path in Elmhurst, authorities said.

Mario Ronces Ocampo, 39, of the 300 block of Maple Avenue, faces one felony count each of aggravated battery in a public place and criminal sexual abuse, the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office said.

Authorities say that Elmhurst police responded to a 911 call just after 9 p.m. Aug. 20 from a woman who reported that a man on an electric scooter had groped her while she was out for a run on the Illinois Prairie Path near South York Street.

Investigators say the woman lost her keys at some point during her run and started looking for them with the flashlight on her phone. A man drove toward her, collided with her and then inappropriately touched and tried to hug her before fleeing west on the path, authorities said.

About 10 minutes later, the same man, still on his scooter, approached the woman from behind and grabbed her before again fleeing, police said.

Following an investigation that authorities say identified Ronces Ocampo as the suspect, he was arrested Tuesday in Melrose Park.

Ronces Ocampo was ordered to remain in jail until trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 21.

rwest@dailyherald.com