A 60-year-old Racine man who told police he was off his medication is accused of attempting to kidnap and assault a woman outside a bar Friday night.
Larry E. Gillespie was charged Monday in Racine County Circuit Court with felony counts of attempted kidnapping and attempted second-degree sexual assault, which each carry a fine of $50,000 and 20 years in prison.
Gillespie also is charged with misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct, which carry a total fine of $11,000 and a year in county jail.
According to the criminal complaint: Racine police officers responded to a bar at 1921 DeKoven Ave., where they spoke with a visibly upset woman. Police observed that she had redness on her neck and upper chest and that her shirt had several missing buttons.
The woman stated she stepped outside the bar to smoke a cigarette, and when she turned to go inside, a male put his arm around her neck from behind in a choke hold, squeezed her neck and was pulling her backward. The man, later identified as Gillespie, then grabbed the front of her shirt and ripped it open, which tore off three buttons.
A witness stated he heard the woman scream for help and saw Gillespie pull the woman out the front door. When the defendant tried to escape, the man said he prevented him from leaving until police arrived.
Gillespie told police he was not taking his medications. When asked why he ripped her shirt, he stated he was a “sex offender.” After he mentioned that his brother was a lawyer, the officer stopped asking questions.
The defendant made his initial court appearance Monday afternoon.