Elmhurst Groping Suspect Arrested, Accused Of Assaulting Woman Twice

ELMHURST, IL – A Villa Park man is accused of twice groping a woman running last week on the Illinois Prairie Path in Elmhurst, authorities said.

Mario Ronces Ocampo, 39, was charged with one count of aggravated battery in a public place and one count of criminal sexual abuse. He was ordered to stay in jail until his trial.

About 9 p.m. Thursday, a woman told a 911 dispatcher that she had been groped by a man on an electric scooter near South York Street on the Illinois Prairie Path, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors.

Police said the woman had been out for a run and was using the flashlight on her phone to look for lost keys when a man later identified as Ronces Ocampo drove a scooter toward her.

Authorities allege Ronces Ocampo collided with the woman, touched her genitals, tried to hug her and fled west on the path.

About 10 minutes later, police said, he approached the woman from behind on the scooter, grabbed her buttocks and fled again.

Police posted photos of the man online from the path and a nearby store.

Investigators later identified Ronces Ocampo as the suspect. Police said they found him early Tuesday afternoon in Melrose Park. He was arrested without any problems.

In the news release, Elmhurst Police Chief Michael McLean called the case serious and said investigators worked for five days to identify, locate and arrest the suspect.

"Users of public bike paths and trails should be able to exercise without fear of being assaulted or battered, and we remain committed to supporting the victim," McLean said.