Teen Sexually Assaulted On Robert McClory Bike Path In Beach Park

BEACH PARK, IL — A 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by an unidentified attacker with a distinctive hairstyle Monday on the Robert McClory Bike Path, authorities said.

According to the preliminary results of an investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the girl was walking along the path just north of Yorkhouse Road, near the border between Beach Park and Waukegan, shortly before 7:30 p.m., when a man emerged from the tree line.

The man grabbed the teen by the neck and shoved her to the ground, forcefully removed her clothes and sexually assaulted her, according to the sheriff's office. A nearby resident heard the girl's screaming and began yelling back, telling her to come to them for help.

Her attacker fled after the resident started shouting, and the girl was able to run to the resident, who called 911, according to a sheriff's office spokesperson. Arriving deputies established a large perimeter in the area and began a search for the man.

A Lake Forest Police Department dog traced a scent to an area not far from where the attack occurred. Investigators believe the man got into a car and fled from that location, Lt. Chris Covelli said. No vehicle description was available from police.

The attacker was described as about 5 feet, 11 inches tall, between 20 and 30 years old and African American with a thin build, according to the sheriff's office. He had short hair with "numerous metal hair barrettes."