Good Samaritan foils Crystal Lake kidnapping, possible rape

A Crystal Lake man's plan to abduct and rape an ex-girlfriend was foiled Wednesday night by a passer-by who helped the woman escape before she could be dragged into the man's home, police said.

Steven W. Hess, 56, faces seven felony charges, including allegations of aggravated kidnapping, attempted aggravated sexual assault and aggravated domestic battery, stemming from the incident that ended near his residence in the 400 block of West Virginia Street.

Hess, police said, had dated the 52-year-old Crystal Lake woman for about two years before their relationship ended several months ago. Deputy Crystal Lake Police Chief Dennis Harris declined to comment on motives for the abduction, but said there were no previous reports of violence between the former couple.

The woman's ordeal began about 7:20 p.m. when she walked out of her workplace along Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake and found Hess waiting for her with a friend's car.

"I got in the car because I trusted him," the woman said in a petition filed Thursday seeking an order of protection. "His demeanor changed and he forced tie wraps around my hands. He tied a rope around my neck and tied it to the car seat. He told me if I did what he said I should survive the night."

Hess, according to the woman's statement, then drove to his residence, parked on the street outside and began pulling the rope around her neck to get her out of the vehicle.

The woman said when she resisted, Hess began punching her in the face, head and arm.

It was at about this time, police said, that a man driving by spotted the altercation, pulled over and got out of his vehicle to confront Hess. The distraction, police said, gave the woman a chance to break free and run to a nearby beauty salon for help.

"It was a very fortunate circumstance," Harris said. "It was something very responsible and admirable to do. We certainly are grateful he did stop and take action."

Hess ran away from the man, police said, but was captured by officers later Wednesday night near Woodstock. He was transported Thursday to the McHenry County jail, where he will remain pending a bond hearing Friday morning.

If convicted of the most serious charges against him, Hess could face up to 30 years in prison.

• Staff writers Lee Filas and Lenore Adkins contributed to this story.