Court Grants State’s Motion to Detain Villa Park Man Accused of Groping Woman on the Illinois Prairie Path

Mario Ronces Ocampo, 39 (d.o.b. 10/22/1986) of the 300 block of Maple Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony).

“LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DUPAGE COUNTY IS 100% COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES,” BERLIN SAID. “THE ALLEGATION THAT MR. RONCES OCAMPO APPROACHED AN INNOCENT WOMAN WHO WAS ALONE ON THE PRAIRIE PATH, RAN INTO HER WITH HIS ELECTRIC SCOOTER AND SEXUALLY ABUSED HER IS VERY DISTURBING AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN DUPAGE COUNTY.”

LMHURST - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Villa Park man charged with sexually abusing a woman on the Illinois Prairie Path last week. Mario Ronces Ocampo, 39 (d.o.b. 10/22/1986) of the 300 block of Maple Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony).

On August 20, 2026, at approximately 9:02 p.m., Elmhurst police officers responded to a 911 call from a woman who reported that she had been groped by a man on an electric scooter while she was on the Illinois Prairie Path near South York Street. Upon their arrival, officers made contact with the victim. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the victim was out for a run on the Prairie Path and at some point had lost her keys. It is alleged that when the woman was looking for her keys using the flashlight on her phone, a man, later identified as Ronces Ocampo, drove an electric scooter toward her. It is alleged that Ronces Ocampo then collided with the woman at which time he touched her genitals, tried to hug her and then fled westbound on the Prairie Path. Approximately ten minutes later, it is alleged that while still on his scooter, Ronces Ocampo approached the woman from behind, grabbed her buttocks and then fled. Through the course of their investigation, authorities identified Ronces Ocampo as a suspect in the matter. On August 25, 2026, at approximately 1:09 p.m., authorities located Ronces Ocampo in Melrose Park where he was taken into custody without incident.

“Law enforcement in DuPage County is 100% committed to the safety of our communities,” Berlin said. “The allegation that Mr. Ronces Ocampo approached an innocent woman who was alone on the Prairie Path, ran into her with his electric scooter and sexually abused her is very disturbing and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. One of DuPage County’s greatest amenities is our trail system and users of our trails and bikeways can rest assured that law enforcement throughout the County is working hard to ensure the public can enjoy these facilities without having to fear for their personal safety. I thank the Elmhurst Police Department for their fine police work that led to the apprehension of the defendant in this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our communities safe. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Kelly McKay and Michael Fisher for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Ronces Ocampo.”

“This was a serious and disturbing incident, and I want to assure our community that the Elmhurst Police Department worked tirelessly over the past five days to identify, locate and arrest the suspect,” McLean said. “Users of public bike paths and trails should be able to exercise without fear of being assaulted or battered and we remain committed to supporting the victim. Bringing resolution to this case took the combined cooperation of police, business operators with security cameras and members of the community who provided crucial leads to our investigators. The Elmhurst Police Department thanks the public for their assistance and State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their support during the investigation.”

Ronces Ocampo’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 21, 2026, in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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