BLOOMINGTON — An Illinois man has been arrested and faces rape, sexual battery and criminal confinement charges after an 18-year-old woman reported that she was sexually assaulted in a Bloomington parking garage.
Bloomington Police say the suspect, Andre J. Hardy, 27, was found in Joliet, Illinois on Wednesday morning. He was arrested, interviewed and is now awaiting extradition to Monroe County.
"The Bloomington Police Department is extremely appreciative of those that called in with information that led to the identification of Hardy and thanks all of those that shared the photographs which ultimately led to his arrest," Bloomington Police Captain Ryan Pedigo said in a news release.
The woman told police that on Sept. 1, she entered a parking garage near North Morton Street and West 6th Street. As she climbed the stairs, the woman told investigators she thought a man was following her.
The woman said the man then grabbed her from behind and tackled her between two vehicles before sexually assaulting her.
The victim began yelling "help," "please don't do this" and stop," according to a probable cause affidavit. The victim believes an approaching bystander scared Hardy away and he ran down the steps and out of the garage heading north across 7th Street.
Police say investigators began trying to locate Hardy, and eventually determined that he had left Bloomington and was in Illinois.
Online court records do not show an initial appearance date for Hardy.
-
Indy drag artist competing on current season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
Myst is one of only two Indianapolis-based queens to compete in the show's history; an honor she doesn't take lightly.
Young Hoosiers get political, staging school walkouts throughout the state
An expert spoke to WRTV's Amber Grigley about the younger generation's political involvement, and students say this is only the beginning.
Charges filed against teen accused of threatening Center Grove Schools
A multi-agency police operation has tracked down the man they believe made recent threats to Center Grove High School.
2-year-old northern Indiana boy found safe following AMBER Alert, suspect caught
A Starke County Sheriff’s Office statement reads, "The child has been located safely." The alleged suspect remains at large.
