Elgin body shop owner charged with rape

A 40-year-old Belvidere man was ordered held on $225,000 bail Friday after authorities say he sexually assaulted a teenage acquaintance to whom he had offered ride home from the Elgin body shop he owns.

Marco Fernandez, of the 400 block of Casswell, was charged with criminal sexual assault, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Probation is not an option.

Fernandez's 18-year-old accuser told police that about two weeks ago, Fernandez began making suggestive comments to her that she rebuffed, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney David Shin said.

The teen, who was working at the body shop, told Fernandez on Tuesday she forgot her phone and asked to use his to call for a ride, Shin said. After offering to drive her home, Fernandez showed the teenager a drawer in his office containing knives and a handgun, Shin said.

The young woman told authorities she continued to work while Fernandez drank with some other men. She also said she smelled alcohol on his breath when they got into his car for the ride home, Shin said. When Fernandez left the shop, the young woman told police, he drove in the opposite direction from her home and began assaulting her, Shin said.

He ignored her requests to stop and refused to let her use the phone, Shin added.

Authorities say Fernandez continued to assault the teen throughout the ordeal, which included a stop at a store, where he purchased some items, and a return to the body shop, Shin said. Finally, he dropped her at home, and she immediately told her mother.

Fernandez spent time in jail for a 2009 Boone County drug conviction, Shin said. He received probation in 1992 for criminal trespass to a vehicle and again in 1993 for aggravated battery.

His next court date is Feb. 13.