Accused trail attacker now charged with two criminal counts

MILWAUKEE -- The man police say attempted to rob women who were jogging on park trails on Milwaukee County's south shore was criminally charged on Saturday, September 1st.

Fermin Ramirez-Chavez faces two charges of attempted robbery with force. He's alleged to have attacked women who were jogging along trails on August 9th in Cudahy and on August 24th in St. Francis.

The criminal complaint says on August 9th, a victim was jogging on the Warnimont Park Trail in Cudahy. She passed the suspect while jogging and a few moments later, the complaint says Ramirez-Chavez grabbed her from behind and took her to the ground. The victim clawed at the suspect's neck and she told him, "I don't have anything -- just take it." The accused left without taking anything.

On August 24th, the criminal complaint says a second woman jogging in Bay View Park was taken to the ground by the accused. In the attack, the suspect did not get anything from the victim.

On August 29th, another person recognized the accused as matching the description of the attacker. Police questioned Ramirez-Chavez who told them, according to the criminal complaint, his intention was never to sexually assault the victims. He said he was just trying to rob people of their phones and iPods.

If convicted, Ramirez-Chavez faces up to seven-and-a-half years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

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