An aggravated criminal sexual abuse offender was arrested and charged thanks to the quick actions of community members who intervened and officers who immediately began tracking the suspect utilizing real-time video.  

On March 30, 2026 at approximately 6:35 a.m., 45-year-old Garland Benton, a convicted felon, attacked a 20-year-old female victim inside a parking garage in the 0-100 block of N. Michigan by pushing her to the ground and attempting to sexually assault her. Two witnesses intervened and attempted to stop Benton. Benton shoved one of the witnesses and continued his attempt to sexually assault the victim. A third witness heard the attack and also intervened by pushing the offender away from the victim.  

A witness followed the offender as he fled the scene and entered the Monroe Red Line station. This witness was able to provide responding 1st District officers with a description of the offender, which was broadcast over police radio. The Public Transportation Section’s Strategic Decision Support Center (SDSC) began tracking the offender’s movements. With this assistance from the SDSC room, Public Transportation Tactical Team members were able to locate the offender in the 2500 block of S. Archer, less than an hour after he attacked the victim in the parking garage.  

Benton was taken into custody and following an investigation by Area Three Detectives, in partnership with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, was charged with:  

• Two felony counts of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place 
• One felony count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse Causing Bodily Harm 
• One felony count of Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm  

This offender was stopped from causing more harm to the victim because of the courageous actions of the witnesses who intervened. His subsequent arrest was the result of the immediate collaboration between responding officers and officers in the Public Transportation Section SDSC room.