Homeless Man Charged in Attempted Sexual Assault on CTA Train in Evanston

Introduction to the Incident

A 24-year-old homeless man has been charged after police say he attacked and tried to sexually assault a woman riding a CTA Yellow Line train in Evanston last week.

Details of the Incident

The incident happened around 1 a.m. Friday while the train was near Dodge Avenue and Mulford Street. Evanston police said Mekel Gordon approached a woman from behind, grabbed her, and tried to forcibly undress her.

When the woman resisted, he allegedly pulled her to the floor and struck her multiple times. Police said he fled on foot when the victim fought back. She was treated at a local hospital and later released.

Investigation and Arrest

Eventually, detectives obtained surveillance video of the suspect and shared an alert asking for the public’s help.

The next day, around 10:30 a.m., callers reported seeing a man matching the suspect’s description at the Howard Street CTA Station in Chicago. Evanston and Chicago police responded and detained the man who was wearing clothing similar to the suspect. He later admitted involvement, police said.

Charges and Court Appearance

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges against Gordon:

• One felony count of aggravated attempted criminal sexual assault
• Two felony counts of aggravated battery
  He was scheduled to appear at the Skokie Courthouse for a detention hearing on Monday afternoon.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of vigilance and community involvement in preventing and responding to crimes. The swift action by the police and the public’s help in identifying the suspect demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in ensuring public safety.

FAQs

• Q: What happened on the CTA Yellow Line train in Evanston?
  A: A 24-year-old homeless man, Mekel Gordon, attempted to sexually assault a woman on the train.
• Q: How was the suspect identified and apprehended?
  A: Through surveillance video and an alert to the public, the suspect was identified. He was apprehended after being spotted at the Howard Street CTA Station in Chicago.
• Q: What charges has Mekel Gordon been approved for?
  A: Gordon has been charged with one felony count of aggravated attempted criminal sexual assault and two felony counts of aggravated battery.
• Q: Where was the suspect scheduled to appear for a detention hearing?
  A: The Skokie Courthouse.