Southwest Side Rape Suspect Charged

Chicago - A man accused of sexually assaulting three teens and exposing himself to another was denied bond Friday after turning himself into police earlier this week.

Chauvet Stiggers, 23, is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault with a firearm and one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault with the threat of life following a series of sexual assaults between March 4 and March 8 in the Asburn community on the Southwest Side, according to police.

Stiggers appeared for a bond hearing Friday and was ordered held without bond by Judge Peggy Chiampas, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin. He will appear for a preliminary hearing in Violence Court (Br. 66) on 3/31.

Police issued a community alert Wednesday saying Stiggers -- who also goes by the names Rashaun Little, Andre Harris and DeAndre Harris -- was a suspect in multiple sexual assaults and was considered armed and dangerous.

A woman stepped forward after seeing media broadcasts because she remembered seeing a similar vehicle -- a green minivan that was spotted in all of the incidents -- and contacted police with the license plate number, the release said. Detectives then tracked down the minivan, which belonged to a female friend of Stiggers.

Victims also provided a composite sketch of the offender and identified Stiggers in a photo lineup. Detectives then issued a warrant for his arrest and released his photo and name to the media, the release said.

Stiggers turned himself in at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wentworth Area police headquarters, News Affairs Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti said.

A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted March 4 in the 8200 block of South Sacramento Avenue about 7:15 p.m. after a man forced her into a vehicle using a knife, the release said.

A second sexual assault was reported March 5 in the 7900 block of South Maplewood Avenue after a man forced a 16-year-old girl into the van at gunpoint, the release said.

Before the girl escaped, she saw an i.d. card with Stiggers picture and his date of birth in a cup holder, according to court records. She immediately ran home, told her parents and was taken to the hospital.

Stiggers also attempted to lure a 17-year-old girl into his van earlier that day but was unsuccessful. The teen instead wrote down the van's license plate and gave it to police, court records indicated.

After the sexual assault, he dropped her off near Bogun High School, court records indicated. She went into the school, told the dean what happened and police were notified.

On March 8, a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at gunpoint near 83rd and Talman, according to police. The girl was walking to school when he approached her. After the assault, the girl went to school and cried the next day and was taken to the hospital, court records indicated.

In addition to the assaults, Stiggers also allegedly exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl near the 7900 block of South Pulaski Roadon March 7 while in the green minivan. The girl was waiting for a bus when he engaged her in conversation and exposed his genitals, the release said.

Court records indicated that prior to the sexual assaults, Stiggers attempted to solicit two teen girls who were walking to a bus stop in the 2800 block of West 79th Street on March 3. He allegedly asked the girls if they wanted to get a bank account at a Chase bank. He later approached the girls again and asked for a 17-year-old girl to perform oral sex for $200. The girl declined and both were able to get onto a bus to get away.

Stiggers has a 2008 conviction for possession of cannabis and a 2007 conviction for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to court records.

Additional charges for public indecency may be filed, police said Friday.