BLOOMINGTON – An 18-year-old woman reported she had been sexually assaulted in a parking garage in the 200 block of North Morton Street just after 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 1.
That suspect has been arrested.
The woman told police she had entered the garage from the alleyway in the 200 block of West 6th Street and walked up the stairs to the third floor where she began looking for her vehicle. She told police that as she was walking up the ramp towards the fourth floor, she noticed a man was following her.
She said the man then grabbed her from behind and tackled her into a parking space between two parked vehicles, where he then sexually assaulted her.
The female began to yell for help and heard footsteps approaching at which time the male got off her and ran from the scene.
The male ran down the steps and then ran from the garage heading north across 7th Street.
Within a very short time, after the photographs of the suspect were released to the media seeking public assistance, several individuals contacted the Bloomington Police Department with information about the male suspect.
He was identified as 27-year-old Andre J. Hardy, of Joliet, IL.
A warrant was issued for Hardy’s arrest by the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police attempted to locate Hardy and learned he had left Bloomington and was in Joliet, IL.
Today, at approximately 8:40 a.m., detectives with the Bloomington Police Department, along with members of the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and deputies with the Will County (IL) Sheriff’s Office located Hardy in the 1300 block of Ada Street in Joliet, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Hardy was transported to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, where detectives interviewed him. Upon the completion of the interview, Hardy was remanded to the custody of the Will County Adult Detention Facility where he will await extradition to Monroe County.
Hardy faces felony charges of rape, criminal confinement, and sexual battery.
The Bloomington Police Department is extremely appreciative of those that called in with
information that led to the identification of Hardy and thanked all of those that shared the photographs which ultimately led to his arrest.
No further information is available to be released at this time.
