Woman attacked after exiting Blue Line on Near West Side

Chicago Police issued an alert Wednesday warning of an attempted sexual assault early Tuesday on the Near West Side.

Chicago Police issued this photo of a suspect who attempted to sexually assault a woman early Tuesday on the Near West Side.

A man, thought to be in his late teens or early 20s, attempted to sexually assault a woman in the 900 block of West Van Buren Street at 12:18 a.m. after following her as she rode the Blue Line from the Lake station, according to the community alert from Area Central detectives.

The woman was able to fend off her attacker and immediately called police, according to the alert.

Police describe the suspect as a black man between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-6, 160-170 pounds with black hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a white and red logo, dark pants and shoes, and a dark backpack.

Anyone with information should call detectives at (312) 747-8380.