Man charged with attacking jogger on Elgin bike path

An Elgin man was arrested Thursday and charged with attacking a woman as she jogged on a path in the northwest suburb last week.

Cody Sarantakos, 21, is charged with unlawful restraint and aggravated battery for the June 3 incident on the bike path near McBride and Kimball streets, according to Elgin police.

The woman was grabbed from behind and thrown to the ground about 11:50 a.m., police said. A witness saw what happened and called police, but they could not find the suspect anywhere nearby.

Detectives reviewed video surveillance from nearby businesses and identified Sarantakos as a suspect, a statement from police said.

“Random and unprovoked physical assaults, such as in this case, take on the highest priority for our detectives,” Elgin Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda said in the statement.

“This arrest was possible because the police department and the citizens worked together to identify the perpetrator. When everyone gets involved, criminals are apprehended,” he said.

Sarantakos, last known to be homeless and staying in the Elgin area, was arrested Thursday morning, police said. He will appear for a bond hearing Friday.