August 12, 2011


A Homeless Convicted Sexual Offender Attacks a River Forest Resident, a Young Woman at Random on the Street.

report and commentary by Ed Vincent

It was still daylight when Taylor Tracey was charged with Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Kidnapping
Attempted Robbery, Aggravated Battery, and Unlawful Restraint.  All the charges are serious and disturbing.  With no known prior history or knowledge of the this woman the perpetrator is reported to have forced a woman into his car and drove off with her against her will.  She was determined and took immediate action to both fight and disrupt her capture.  She repeatedly reached over and shut off the cars engine and attempted to open the door of the car.  This was done numerous times within the area of her own block.  When she successfully gained her freedom, her calls for help were heard by neighbors who immediately called the police.

Fortunately the weather had cooled and windows were now open, and people were outside to hear the calls for help.  All of this took place only about a month after the homicide in the town and only two blocks away.

The River Forest police arrived in short order and arrested Mr. Tracey before he could make his escape.  The woman is reported to be doing fine.

We are thankful for good conclusions to bad events, and thanks to the vigilant police for their arrest.

Sex Offender Record for Taylor Tracey

Convicted on July 20, 1990 for 12-14(A)(4)-Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault/Felony.
Past address:  2409 Autumn Grove Cir , Aurora, Il 60504

August 12, 2011

River Forest Police Announce the Arrest of a Kidnapping Suspect

On August 11, 2011 at approximately 7:50 PM, River Forest Police units responded to the 1300 block of William for a report of a woman screaming in what was initially thought to be a domestic disturbance. Officers quickly arrived on scene and discovered that Tracey Taylor (Male), 44, homeless, had approached a 37-year-old female River Forest resident as she was walking in the area. Taylor subsequently grabbed the victim by her arms and body, forced the victim into his car, and began to flee the area. The victim fought her attacker until she was able to escape from the car, screaming to alert neighbors who immediately called 911. Officers arrived on the scene within moments and stopped Taylor as he was attempted to flee. Officers took the suspect into custody, called Fire Department paramedics to provide medical assistance to the victim and initiated an investigation. Taylor is a Registered Sex Offender and has a history of violent criminal offenses. The victim, who received minor injuries during her struggle, was taken to the hospital and later released.

As a result of an overnight investigation by detectives and evidence technicians, a representative of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges against Taylor within 12 hours of his arrest:

• Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault
  

• (Class 1 Felony)

• Kidnapping (Class 2 Felony)

• Attempted Robbery (Class 3 Felony)

• Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony)

• Unlawful Restraint (Class 4 Felony)

Taylor will appear for a bond hearing on August 13, 2011 at the 4^th District Maybrook Courthouse in Maywood. He will appear at a Preliminary Hearing on this case on August 18, 2011 at 9:00 AM in room 102.

Police Chief Gregory Weiss praised the victim’s courage and the quick and decisive action of the River Forest police officers stating, “This was a crime of opportunity committed by an extremely dangerous offender. Everything worked in this case, starting with a woman who refused to be a victim and ending with dedicated, well-trained police whose first priority is the protection of their community.”

RIVER FOREST POLICE CASE #11-6865