Prosecutors say an Indian national sexually abused a young woman, whom he did not know, while attending a neighborhood garage sale that she hosted in Buffalo Grove.
The Buffalo Grove Police Department responded around 12:25 p.m. on July 11 to a home on West Fabish Drive in Buffalo Grove for a report of a sexual abuse incident.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said the victim told police that a man, later identified as Pradeep K. Verma, 69, of India, came over on July 10 to her garage sale.
Verma reportedly asked the woman her age, nationality and told her she was beautiful.
He purchased a few items from her and left but returned the next day on July 11 and again asked about her nationality.
He also asked if she had a boyfriend or if she was married, Theis said. The woman told him she had a boyfriend and he reportedly began asking her if she was happy.
Verma then placed his hand on her right shoulder while she was sitting down looking at her laptop, Theis said.
He continued to talk to her and then brushed her hair from the front to back two times while telling her, “Everybody loves you,” according to Theis.
Theis said Verma placed both hands on her face and turned her face toward him, at which time he kissed her cheek.
Verma stood up as if “nothing happened” and said “one more” before again placing his hands on her face and physically turning her head and kissing her other cheek, Theis said.
Theis said Verma grabbed and squeezed the woman’s breast, which she reported was painful.
The victim turned away and pushed Verma, who continued to stand there looking at her while trying to judge her reaction, Theis said.
Verma told her he was going to return with his grandson later and walked away.
The victim called 911 to report the incident and police responded. Verma later returned to the victim’s home with his grandson and the woman called 911 again but Verma fled before officers arrived, Theis said.
A neighbor followed Verma to a home nearby in the 100 block of West Fabish Avenue.
Officers went to the residence and made contact with Verma, whom the victim was able to positively identify as the suspect in a show-up.
Theis said Verma admitted to going to the garage sale both days and said he told the victim she reminded him of his daughter but denied making physical contact with the victim.
Verma was charged with two counts of criminal sexual abuse and one count of battery making physical contact.
“This defendant is in his sixties and preyed upon a young woman who is only 22 years old. The victim had seen the defendant walking in the neighborhood so she thought he was a neighbor, but they had never met until he came to the garage sale the first day,” Theis said.
“The defendant showed up multiple times to gain her confidence and took advantage of her,” Theis said.
Verma told officers that he lives in India and had a return plane ticket for July 20. Prosecutors said they believe Verma poses a danger to the victim if released and they believe he would flee the country.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Verma and the request was granted by Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim.
Attorney Stavri Vako, who is representing Verma, said his client has no criminal history in his home country while seeking Verma’s release from custody.
Verma remains held in the Lake County Jail and he is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday for a hearing on a motion to reconsider detention.