A 43-year-old man has been ordered detained pending trial after prosecutors accused him of sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman at a Chicago bus stop. Jignesh Patel faces felony charges of criminal sexual abuse causing bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place in connection with the encounter at 4001 West Fullerton Avenue in the Hermosa neighborhood.
The woman was waiting at the CTA stop on Sept. 2 when, according to prosecutors’ detention filing as reported by CWB Chicago, Patel pulled her toward him and allegedly touched her breast. Prosecutors said he then pushed her against a storefront, put a hand on her neck and grabbed her buttocks.
A worker at a nearby business opened the door after hearing a disturbance and found the woman on the ground calling for help, according to the detention account. Prosecutors said Patel left with his bag but was arrested after returning to the area.
Injuries and the Suspect’s Account
The woman reported scratches to her wrist and back, as well as breast pain and bruising, according to the account. Patel denied touching her breast and told police that he had accidentally touched the woman’s arm when a scooter passed nearby. He also acknowledged drinking shortly before the encounter but said he was not too intoxicated, prosecutors said…