A Portage Park man with a history of offering rides to young men and boys, according to prosecutors, groped a 16-year-old boy after offering the teen a ride in August, authorities said Saturday.
Isa Harb, 55, was ordered held on $40,000 bail during a hearing before Judge Michael R. Clancy at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Harb, of the 3500 block of North Lavergne Avenue, was charged with aggravated criminal sex abuse, and was ordered not to have any contact with the victim. He has a similar case involving a 14-year-old pending from early September, authorities said.
Dressed in a black windbreaker, Harb said nothing as he stood next to his private attorney, Michael Monaco.
The teen, a high school junior, was walking home Aug. 23 when Harb approached in his car and asked for directions to California Avenue, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jillian Anselmo told the court. Harb then offered the youth a ride home and struck up a conversation during the ride.
When the car arrived in the 3400 block of West Addison Street and the boy tried to exit the car, Harb started the car, which he did at least twice more, Anselmo said.
Harb began talking to the boy inappropriately and then touched him.
The boy pushed Harb’s hand away and used a school folder to cover his lap. After being unable to open the door two or times, the teen reached through the open window and opened the door from the outside and fled home, where he told his grandparents and eventually his mother.
Harb was arrested Friday at a court hearing for the September case, Anselmo said.
In four other cases dating back to 2007, Harb similarly asked for directions and offered rides to males between 14 and 21, prosecutors said. In three of the cases, the victims accepted the ride only to have Harb turn the conversations toward sex and touching them.
Harb is expected to return to court next week.
wlee@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @MidNoirCowboy
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