Chicago man on probation for domestic violence charged with sexual assault in Northwest

CHICAGO – A Chicago man has been charged in connection with a brutal sexual assault on Chicago’s Northwest Side, days after police released surveillance video of the suspect.

David Vega, 32, is accused of grabbing a woman and dragging her into a gangway to sexually assault her last month.

Police said the victim was in the 2900 block of North Mango Avenue around 4:15 a.m. on May 28 when a man, now believed to be Vega, approached her and told her he had been watching her. The victim and the suspect were reportedly not close.

Vega allegedly put his hand over the victim’s mouth and lifted her up while saying he was going to rob her. The victim began screaming and Vega told her if she didn’t stop, he would kill her, court documents state.

He then removed the victim’s pants and ripped off her underwear before sexually assaulting her. Officers arrived at the scene after a person called for help and stopped the attack. They saw Vega lying on top of the victim shortly before he fled.

Chicago police released surveillance video of the fleeing suspect on June 10 and asked the public for help in identifying him. The video shows a shirtless man running away from the crime scene and jumping over a fence.

Vega was charged with two counts of sexual assault/violence and was denied pretrial release at a detention hearing on June 15.

According to court documents, Vega was on probation for domestic violence at the time of the attack.