Alfredo De La Cruz, 70, Beach Park

A Beach Park man is facing up to 30 years in prison for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman with intellectual disabilities, authorities said.

Alfredo De La Cruz, 70, of the 10200 block of West Fairbanks Avenue, was arrested and charged on May 21 following an investigation revealing he sexually assaulted the woman, Lake County Sheriff Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to an area hospital on May 17 for a woman having a panic attack after discovering her daughter with disabilities had been sexually assaulted, Covelli said.

Sheriff’s detectives responded and spoke to the woman more in-depth about the allegation and learned the victim’s mother cleans De La Cruz’s home in the 10200 block of West Fairbanks, Covelli said.

The mother has been cleaning the home for approximately two years and brings her adult non-verbal, intellectually disabled daughter with her, Covelli said. The victim usually stays in the living room of the home while her mother cleaned.

[Suggested Article]  Dog dies, residents left displaced after heavy flames damage duplex home in North Chicago

The mother became suspicious of De La Cruz after she noticed he appeared to be zipping his pants when she came downstairs into the living room area where the daughter was located.

In response, the mother of the victim placed a recording device to monitor her daughter while she was cleaning the home last week, Covelli said.

After leaving the home, the mother watched the video and found De La Cruz was forcing the daughter into sexual acts.

Sheriff’s detectives reviewed the facts and circumstances with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office who approved charges of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault of an Intellectually Disabled Person, a Class X Felony, two class one felony counts of Criminal Sexual Assault, and a class two felony count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of an Intellectually Disabled Person.

[Suggested Article]  Numerous fire departments called to extra-alarm fire at mobile home park in Beach Park

Sheriff’s detectives obtained an arrest warrant and arrested De La Cruz on May 21.  Sheriff’s detectives also conducted a search warrant at De La Cruz’ home following his arrest and obtained evidence of the crime.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain De La Cruz in Lake County Jail while awaiting trial.

The hearing was initially scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, but was postponed after De La Cruz was able to retain a private defense attorney.

De La Cruz is due back in court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for the detention hearing.