An alleged serial attacker was ordered detained on Friday after authorities accused him of attacking at least six women in separate, random incidents downtown Chicago.
Forty-year-old Marlon Miller was wearing an electronic ankle monitor during some of the alleged assaults, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Victim Speaks Out
One of the alleged victims, Sherri Bester, shared her distress, stating her attacker should never have been free.
“He yelled **** and then he swung and hit me in my left eye,” Bester said. She says she was attacked just moments after stepping out of Millennium Station.
“He hit me hard enough that even with my glasses on my eye still did swell,” Bester added.
Bester quickly learned she was not the only one. At least three women were attacked in the Loop on Wednesday morning alone, all apparently at random.
Arrest and Charges
Chicago police arrested Miller on Wednesday near East Randolph Street. Minutes earlier, he allegedly punched three women, ages 49, 50, and 62, in the Loop.
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The 50-year-old victim told police she was bruised after Miller punched her in the eye without provocation.
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The 49-year-old victim reported being punched in the eye, resulting in $800 worth of damage to her sunglasses.
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The 62-year-old victim was punched in the nose.
Miller has been charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place in connection with those Wednesday attacks. He is due back in court on December 17 for these charges.
Attacks While on Monitoring
Miller was placed on electronic monitoring after an incident on October 11, where he allegedly punched two females near West Randolph Street and North Dearborn Street.
His record also includes an additional battery incident from November 25, where he allegedly threw a cup of milkshake at a 30-year-old woman on State Street. That case is set for a court hearing on December 26.
The use of electronic monitoring has recently faced intense scrutiny, especially after a suspect on monitoring was involved in a fiery attack on a woman on a CTA train.
“It’s like the judicial system is failing us,” Bester stated. “It’s not working, because we’re allowing these people to be back on the streets.”
The Chief Judge of Cook County has been contacted for comment regarding the decision to place Miller on electronic monitoring. Miller is scheduled to return to court next week.
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