Urgent: Woman Assaulted in Loop Thanks Good Samaritan for Help

UPDATE: A woman was assaulted in the Loop on Wednesday night, but thanks to a brave good Samaritan, she was saved from a potentially worse fate. At approximately 7:20 PM, Sierra Ruggiero, 25, was attacked just ten minutes from her home while walking west on Ida B. Wells Drive, near the La Salle Blue Line station.

As Ruggiero walked through the underpass before Financial Place, a man on a bicycle pushed her over a railing and attempted to sexually assault her. The harrowing incident was interrupted when Alx Taylor, 21, witnessed the attack and yelled at the assailant, causing him to flee westward.

In a heartfelt moment following the attack, Ruggiero expressed her gratitude for Taylor’s swift action. “Once he ran away, she came up to me, she checked to see if I was OK. She was the kindest soul,” Ruggiero said, praising Taylor for her support until the paramedics arrived.

Ruggiero suffered visible injuries, including bruises on her legs and tailbone, but her emotional scars run deeper. “I don’t think I actually will ever fully mentally recover from this,” she stated. The traumatic event has altered her perception of safety in the city, where she had previously felt secure.

Living in the Loop since moving from Florida two years ago, Ruggiero has always practiced vigilance while navigating the city. She typically avoids distractions by not wearing headphones and keeps her phone in her pocket. However, during the attack, her 40-ounce stainless steel water bottle was knocked out of her hand, leaving her feeling vulnerable. She expressed that “no matter how safe you are or how protected you think you are, something can still happen.”

The incident has left Ruggiero contemplating carrying pepper spray or a similar self-defense tool. She has also shared her story on TikTok to raise awareness about the dangers women face, especially in light of recent reports about a man dubbed the “Loop puncher,” who has been linked to unprovoked attacks on women in the area.

Ruggiero and Taylor both described the assailant as wearing all black clothing and a blue surgical face mask while riding a small bicycle. A spokesperson from the Chicago Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, as authorities work diligently to apprehend the suspect.

As the investigation unfolds, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Ruggiero’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the risks women face, even in familiar surroundings.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.