From the May 23 Morton Times News:

Woman assaulted on the Illinois River bike trail.

By Nathan Domenighini
Times Newspapers

A twenty-year-old woman was attacked Saturday on the Illinois River Trail, which runs between Morton and East Peoria.

At about 11 a.m., Tammy, whose name is being withheld for security purposes, said she was riding her bike along the trail when she acknowledged a man also riding a bike near her.

“I said ‘good morning’ to him (while he passed), ” Tammy, an East Peoria resident, said.

He responded. Tammy said he seemed to just be carrying on a friendly conversation.

After passing her, then letting he catch up several times, she said he fell behind one last time before speeding up and ramming the back of her bike, knocking her to the ground. He asked her if she was alright and apologized for knocking her down.

“At that point, I was just annoyed,” Tammy said. “Then, he just kept coming closer and closer and I kept telling him it was alright and to just move on.” Before she knew what was happening, “He jumped and grabbed me,” she said. “He pulled out a white rag with chemicals on it and held it over my face.”

Tammy then struggled and started barraging him with kicks and punches, she said.

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