PEORIA (25News Now) — A Peoria man will remain in jail until trial after being linked to the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl the day after she ran away from home.
According to a release from the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, DNA testing connected 52-year-old Eddie Blakes to the assault, which occurred on January 9. The victim reported that an unknown man picked her up the day after she ran away, and a second man joined them. They drove her to a Peoria residence, where both allegedly sexually assaulted her. A third man reportedly arrived and also assaulted the girl.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where DNA evidence was collected and later matched Blakes. Police arrested him on Thursday, Sept. 18. On Monday, Blakes appeared before Peoria County Associate Judge Mark Gilles, who granted the state’s request to keep him in jail pending trial.
Authorities continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to contact Peoria Police at 309-673-4521.
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