EVANSTON, IL — The man accused of trying to kidnap a woman as she walked through Northwestern University’s Evanston campus Saturday was ordered jailed in Chicago unless he can come up with $50,000 cash.
James Saye, 28, of the 6100 block of North Seeley Avenue, Chicago, appeared in court Monday in Skokie to face charges of attempted kidnapping and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
According to police and prosecutors, a 34-year-old woman had just crossed the intersection of Sheridan Road and Chicago Avenue when Saye, who was driving a gray Ford Escape, made a U-turn and drove up onto the sidewalk where she was walking.
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The woman, who was listening to music on headphones at the time, heard a man’s voice calling her, according to prosecutors. She turned and saw the car on the sidewalk but ignored him and kept walking.
Saye then pulled the car off the sidewalk and directly in front of the woman, but she continued walking, Assistant State’s Attorney Nic Attia said. Saye got out of the car and followed the woman, eventually grabbing her by the arm from behind with enough force to turn her around and pull her toward him.
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“When [Saye] grabbed the [woman] and turned her, [he] demanded [she] get inside his car,” Attia said. The [woman] pulled her arm away from [Saye] as she screamed for help.”
The woman was able to break free and take a few steps back, but Saye grabbed her by the arm a second time. She continued screaming and was able to pull her arm away, according to the prosecutor, who said video of the altercation was captured by Northwestern University security cameras.
Saye got back in the car and fled, as the woman called 911, Attia said. She also contacted an officer on the street, providing a description of Saye and his car. She also provided his license plate, which came back registered to him.
Within a few minutes, officers on patrol found Saye’s Ford and tried to pull him over, the prosecutor said. He refused to stop, instead leading police on a low-speed chase.
During the brief chase, authorities said Saye violated at least eight traffic laws, driving on the sidewalk and the on median as police pursued him at speeds under the posted 25 mph speed limit.
Evanston patrol officers eventually boxed in Saye’s Ford and took him into custody around 10 a.m., and woman he is accused of trying to abduct was able to identify him in person, according to police and prosecutors.
Saye has no criminal convictions, although pleaded guilty to reckless conduct in 2015 in exchange for a supervisory sentence, court officials said.
Assistant Public Defender Vanessa Ficaro, who represented Saye at his initial court appearance, said he refused to be interviewed prior to his bond hearing. She asked that he be referred to the Cook County Jail’s hospital for an evaluation, based on information from his family.
Associate Judge Anthony Calabrese noted that Saye does not have much of a criminal background, but his alleged attack and attempted escape were both significant.
“So it is clear that [Saye] was doing everything he could to make good on his escape after the unusual conduct alleged,” Calabrese said, prior to setting the Chicago man’s bond, which he said could be reduced if he receives treatment that reduces the danger he poses to the public.
“I believe that the danger that [Saye] poses right now in his current circumstances is grave,” the judge said. “Despite those things in mitigation, I believe that there is a significant bond that should be set to protect the public from conduct such as the [Saye] has engaged in and is charged with today.”
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Saye is due back in court to be indicted on June 1.
Earlier: Abduction Attempt On Northwestern Campus Ends With 1 In Custody
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