A 17-year-old girl was apparently abducted and sexually assaulted Tuesday night in southwest suburban
The girl had bruises, scrapes and cuts to her body and was being examined at an area hospital this morning. She was also being interviewed by investigators.
About 9 p.m., the girl was working by herself at the T.J. Grinders sandwich shop,
The friend, who lives about five minutes away, arrived to the restaurant and noticed the girl's purse and cell phone were on a table outside the restaurant.
"It looked like the contents of the purse were spilled, and the chair was knocked over as if there was a disturbance," Palos Heights Police Sgt. Chuck Hankus said.
About 12:30 a.m. this morning, police were interviewing the girl's family at their home when the girl walked up the driveway.
"She was partially clothed ... she was roughed up pretty good," according to Palos Heights Police Sgt. Tim Holder, who was at the sandwich shop this morning. Holder said police believe the girl was abducted, and based on a preliminary interview with her by police, "It appears she was most likely sexually assaulted."
In terms of the severity of the crimes, Holder said, the suburb has "had nothing that would even measure up to this."
Police declined to release the name of the girl, who is a
Holder said authorities were using dogs to follow the scent of the girl to figure out where she was between the time she was at the sandwich shop and the time she arrived at her family's home.
No one was in custody this morning.
Jeremy Gorner, Tribune reporter
This is absolutely a horrible thing to happen. The poor girl and her family are in my prayers. Why was this young girl alone in a business at night? The owner of the business should be held accountable for putting her in this situation.
There is no such place as safe anymore. I hope she copes with this as best she can.
They need to catch this slimeball..
Holder said, the suburb has "had nothing that would even measure up to this."
BS. This is the second sexual assault in Palos Heights inside of five years. Remember the dress shop on Harlem Sgt. Holder? Quit lying to the press to protect the town's reputation.
No employee of a business should ever be required to work alone especially when the business is open to the public and handles cash.
I am sorry that this happened to this young lady.
Why was a 17 year old girl closing a fast food restaurant ALONE? Have these companies learned NOTHING from past incidences such as this?
Thoughts and prayers are with this girl and her family.
What was this company thinking having a 17 year old girl work ALONE at 9pm in a retail environment?
We must take this as an awful reminder:
Parents - do not allow your children to work in these conditions. Their safety is paramount!
Young adults - if you are ever in an uncomfortable situation - call the police - immediately!