Sword Used To Chase Away Home Invader After Attack: Cops

CHICAGO, IL — A Logan Square man accused by Chicago police in at least two separate peeping Tom incidents faces several felony charges and was ordered held without bail Saturday, according to authorities. Francisco Chavez, 39, of the 2600 block of West North Avenue, was charged with home invasion causing injury, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, attempted criminal sexual assault, residential burglary and criminal trespass. His next court date is Monday.

Police allege Chavez was involved in peeping Tom incidents on June 14 and 23, although a department statement released Saturday did not reveal their locations or the details surrounding them. According to the Chicago Tribune, Friday's attack happened at about 5:15 a.m. in the 1400 block of North Wood Street in the Wicker Park neighborhood, and the victim was a 29-year-old woman. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Bucktown and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

In that incident, Chavez allegedly tried to grab the victim as she waited to be buzzed in to an apartment she was staying at, the report stated. Later, he's accused of breaking in to the apartment after the woman had gone to bed, according to the report. Once inside, Chavez allegedly removed the victim's clothes, kissed her buttocks and touched her thigh, the report added.

When the victim screamed, Chavez allegedly punched the woman in the face repeatedly, and a struggle ensued, the report stated. Eventually, a man also staying at the apartment heard the ruckus, and he chased Chavez out of the residence with a sword he grabbed off the wall, the report added.

During the investigation, Chavez's wallet — his Mexican consulate ID inside — as well as a hat and long-sleeved, blue T-shirt allegedly belonging to him were found at the scene, the report stated. When Chavez later went to police to report that he had been robbed, investigators discovered he was wanted in another, unrelated incident June 17 in the 1400 block of Blackhawk Street.

A 27-year-old woman told police she not only caught Chavez allegedly peeking into the window of her residence, but that she later found him standing in her bedroom closet, the report stated. The victim ran screaming from her home, and Chavez fled, although investigators say contractors in the neighborhood chased him down an alley, the report added.

According to police, Chavez is under investigation in two other similar incidents, but no charges have been filed in those cases, the Tribune reports. Sources told the Chicago Sun-Times that he also was involved in another home invasion around 2 p.m. June 14 in the 1400 block of North Cleaver Street in the Noble Square neighborhood.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Francisco Chavez, 39 (Photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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