Englewood Officers Find Man in Girl's Bed After Sex Assault, Police Say

A 55-year-old Colombian immigrant living in the country illegally was arrested Sunday after Englewood police found him in the bed of a teen girl he allegedly sexually assaulted at a Third Ward rooming house, authorities said. 

Officers were dispatched around 5:20 a.m. on a report of a sex assault and met the 16-year-old girl, who told police she was awakened by the man who rented a room in the attic, according to police.

The man, Gabriel Cordoba, apparently snuck into the girl's unlocked bedroom and began assaulting her, police said. 

The girl was able to break free and alert others in the house, police said. Englewood Officers Dona Nidelko and Byron Agauyo found Cordoba still in the girl's bed. 

“The girl and other household members were shaken, but no one was hurt,” Detective Capt. Tim Torell said in a statement. “The officers got there fast and made the arrest quickly and safely. She was a lucky young lady.”

Police said the girl was staying at the West Demarest Avenue house with a guardian while her parents were visiting family in South America. 

Cordoba was charged with one count of aggregated criminal sexual contact and one count of burglary after being questioned by Englewood detectives. Torell said the Cali, Colombia native had apparently been living in the United States for three decades, but only came to Englewood in the last few months. 

He had no previous arrests, the captain added. 

Jail records show Cordoba was being held Monday on $45,000 full cash bail and a detainer was issued by federal immigration authorities.