BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Officers have taken a suspect into custody who they believe invaded the home of a Belleville woman and sexually assaulted her, the city's police department said.
Prosecutors charged Tyrone Smith, of St. Louis, with a slew of felony charges including home invasion, criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery, burglary, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Smith was transported from a hospital in Springfield, Illinois where he was undergoing medical treatment to a St. Clair County jail.
Police were dispatched to a home near the intersection of A and 20th streets Tuesday afternoon after a home invasion 911 call, the department said. The caller met police at the scene, saying they discovered a woman at the residence.
The victim, in her 60s, told police that an unknown man forced his way inside her home, battered her, and sexually assaulted her, officers said. The man then took several items from her home, took her car and left the scene.
Police said they believe there is no connection between Smith and the victim.
"This is kind of a worst nightmare type scenario for a victim, particularly a female victim of crime," Belleville Police Lt. Col. Mark Heffernan said.
The victim's car was later involved in a crash in Shelby County.
This attack shocked the entire street. One neighbor told 5 On Your Side that she saw police activity Tuesday afternoon.
"We were just sitting there and I was waiting for my daughter to come up from school, and we looked up and we just saw cars down the road. They were unmarked. I'm like, 'What is going on?' Belleville resident Tammy Clover asked. "You know, there was a police car and then there was just a bunch of commotion over there. We saw them going in and out of the house," she added.
Once neighbors found out what happened, they said they were shocked and uneasy.
"We were just talking (Wednesday), me and a neighbor, and she was like, 'I'm actually at the store right now where I'm buying something so you can't see through my windows.' So changing different things and try to make sure we're all protected," Clover said.
She said they all do a pretty good job looking out for each other and have never had anything like this happen on their street.
"We were also discussing adding more Ring doorbell cameras to keep people safe," Clover said.
Police said they believe Smith may be involved in additional felonies in Missouri.
"Belleville detectives continue to work several leads and advocate for the victim in this heinous crime," the department said. "If anyone has information related to this case, please contact Belleville police or CrimeStoppers."
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