2 Lisle teens charged with sexual assault at Walgreens in Naperville

Two Lisle teens were charged with sexual assault inside a Naperville Walgreens last weekend.

James Patterson, 17, will be tried as an adult due to the severity of the allegations, while the other teen, 15, will be tried in juvenile court, according to the DuPage County state's attorney's office.

Patterson was charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and one count of robbery and was ordered to remain in custody at his first court appearance, the state's attorney's office said. The younger teen was charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, four counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and one count of criminal sexual assault.

Around 3:10 p.m. Sunday, the female victim was in the washroom at a Walgreens at 713 E. Ogden Ave. when Patterson allegedly came in and pinned her against a bathroom stall wall while pulling down her pants, the state's attorney's office said. The victim told him to stop and was able to leave the stall before Patterson grabbed her again and pinned her to the bathroom wall.

Patterson then allegedly struck the victim, and when she fell down, he repeatedly punched her before sexually assaulting her, officials said. The younger teen recorded the sexual assault as it happened before he also allegedly assaulted the girl.

Officers with the Naperville Police Department found the teens shortly after they fled, and they were taken into custody, authorities said. Patterson had the victim's cellphone when he was arrested, according to police.

“The charges filed against Mr. Patterson and his co-defendant are extremely serious,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. "The physical and emotional pain allegedly inflicted on this young woman is unimaginable, and it is my sincerest hope that she and her family receive the care they need to help them through this difficult time."

Patterson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 2, and the 15-year-old’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.