BLOOMINGTON — An Illinois man has been arrested and faces rape, sexual battery and criminal confinement charges after an 18-year-old woman reported that she was sexually assaulted in a Bloomington parking garage.
Bloomington Police say the suspect, Andre J. Hardy, 27, was found in Joliet, Illinois on Wednesday morning. He was arrested, interviewed and is now awaiting extradition to Monroe County.
"The Bloomington Police Department is extremely appreciative of those that called in with information that led to the identification of Hardy and thanks all of those that shared the photographs which ultimately led to his arrest," Bloomington Police Captain Ryan Pedigo said in a news release.
The woman told police that on Sept. 1, she entered a parking garage near North Morton Street and West 6th Street. As she climbed the stairs, the woman told investigators she thought a man was following her.
The woman said the man then grabbed her from behind and tackled her between two vehicles before sexually assaulting her.
The victim began yelling "help," "please don't do this" and stop," according to a probable cause affidavit. The victim believes an approaching bystander scared Hardy away and he ran down the steps and out of the garage heading north across 7th Street.
Police say investigators began trying to locate Hardy, and eventually determined that he had left Bloomington and was in Illinois.
Online court records do not show an initial appearance date for Hardy.
-
Republican proposes restroom ban as first openly transgender member joins House
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace is proposing banning transgender women from using the women's restroom as Rep. Sarah McBride becomes the House's first openly transgender member.
The Success Center at Carriage House East hosts Thanksgiving food pantry
Residents could get turkey, turkey breast, and ham ahead of Thanksgiving thanks to Success Center, nestled inside Carriage House East Apartment Complex.
Indiana Chamber discusses legislative priorities; session starts in Jan.
Typically, the Chamber releases specific policy positions but on Monday, that was not the case. Instead, they released six pillars they hope to focus on.
White House condemns Nazi march that took place in Columbus, Ohio
The White House on Monday condemned a Nazi march that took place in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend. Police say people wearing black carried flags with swastikas on them through the city on Saturday.
