Crime & Law
Chicago Man Sentenced to 15 Years on Kidnapping Charge After 2022 Postal Worker Attack
(jetcityimage / iStock)
A Chicago man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping a U.S. postal worker before stealing her work vehicle and crashing on the South Side has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Cesar Ramirez, 47, received his sentence this week after he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping stemming from the October 2022 incident. He was initially charged with numerous felonies that also included attempted aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual abuse and aggravated battery.
Cook County prosecutors alleged the postal worker was working her shift on Oct. 22, 2022, when she parked at a gas station in the 2800 block of South Pulaski Avenue to buy some snacks just after 9 a.m.
Ramirez allegedly entered the store behind her, and they greeted each other before Ramirez paid for his items and walked outside. Prosecutors said the woman bought her snacks, got back into her unlocked van and began to drive away when she noticed movement behind her inside the vehicle.
Ramirez, whom prosecutors said had entered the vehicle and hid in the back, grabbed the woman by the hair and ordered her to drive, allegedly threatening to kill her if she refused.
The victim drove to a nearby bank parking lot, where Ramirez allegedly ordered her to go into the back of the vehicle and attempted to assault her. She was able to open the vehicle’s back door and escape before Ramirez stole the vehicle.
He was allegedly pursued by Chicago Police Department officers until he crashed in an alley and fled the scene on foot. Following a joint investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Chicago Police Department, Ramirez was identified and arrested on Oct. 26.
“This sentencing is another example of the roles postal inspectors, and our law enforcement partners play in protecting Postal Service employees and customers,” Ruth Mendonça, inspector in charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said in a statement Wednesday. “As Postal Service employees continue to play an integral role in our communities, postal inspectors are clear in our resolve to aggressively investigate anyone who brings harm to these invaluable public servants.”
