Suspect charged following investigation of Railroad Avenue criminal sexual assaults

Online Staff Report

Paul Thurman, 40, of Rockford, has been charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault following an investigation into criminal sexual assaults occurring in the area of Railroad Avenue and Ninth Street.

The charge of criminal sexual assault is in relation to an incident that occurred May 30 and the two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault are for an incident that occurred June 12.

According to police, the suspect would approach victims on a bicycle, force the victims under the bridge on Railroad Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets, where the suspect would sexually assault the victims.

Police are encouraging anyone with information about these incidents or any other criminal sexual assaults to contact Sgt. John EauClaire at (815) 987-5844.

Posted Sept. 6, 2012