Authorities suspect a 21-year-old undocumented immigrant from Nicaragua, Reiter Arauz-Medina, of committing a horrific crime in Chicago. He is accused of dragging a 54-year-old woman into an alley, assaulting her, and raping her. This incident reportedly occurred on August 31 in the Belmont Cragin area.
Arauz-Medina has been in custody following his arrest last month and, as of Wednesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has submitted a formal request for his detainer. This request aims to alert local law enforcement before his potential release.
However, Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city complicates matters, as this policy restricts cooperation with ICE. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, expressed outrage, stating, “This is a real-life nightmare. This criminal, who J.B. Pritzker continues to protect, violently attacked an innocent woman walking the streets of Chicago.”
McLaughlin criticized state policies that shield undocumented immigrants, implying that they endanger citizens, saying, “We will do everything in our power to ensure this evil criminal never walks our streets again.”
Arauz-Medina faces multiple charges, including rape, stemming from an incident where he allegedly pulled the woman by her hair and dragged her across the street during the early morning hours. Reports indicate that her screams were captured on nearby surveillance footage.
Allegedly, Arauz-Medina then pushed her into an alley, where he choked her and tore her clothing. He reportedly slammed her head into the concrete, leaving her momentarily unconscious. Authorities noted that he fled after startling a passing motorist.
The victim managed to escape, running naked down the street until a food vendor intervened to help her. Arauz-Medina was apprehended soon after.
According to immigration officials, Arauz-Medina likely crossed into the U.S. near Eagle Pass, Texas, on September 17 of the previous year, and an immigration judge ordered his removal in July.
