Police: Man attacked woman responding to room for rent ad

A 60-year-old Des Plaines man is being held in Cook County Jail in lieu of $5 million bond after a woman told police she was attacked at knife point while moving into a room for rent she saw on Craigslist, officials said.

Farhad A. Tanzif, of the 1000 block of South River Road, is charged with aggravated kidnapping and criminal sexual assault.

The 43-year-old woman told Des Plaines police she was assaulted Wednesday evening as she was taking items into the room on River Road. The room was advertised on Craigslist and the woman said she had met with Tanzif earlier Wednesday to look it over and agreed to rent it from him.

Police said Tanzif showed a knife and threatened the woman before sexually assaulting her.

Detectives found Tanzif at his home Wednesday and took him in for questioning, later obtaining a search warrant.

Cook County prosecutors approved charges and Tanzif had a bond hearing Saturday. He must post $500,000 to be released.

Des Plaines Detective Cmdr. Randy Akin advised people meeting up with strangers as a result of buying or renting something online to bring along a friend or at least let others know about their whereabouts.