Des Plaines man accused of using Craigslist to sexually assault women

COOK COUNTY - A suburban man is accused of using Craigslist to find a roommate, but what he allegedly did next has sparked a warning from police.

The Cook County sheriff says these attacks on women appear to be planned and pre-meditated. Now, police worry there may be other victims.

The suspect from Des Plaines is now behind bars - 67-year-old Farhad Tanzif. He's facing four Class X felonies — all criminal sexual assault.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says Tanzif is accused to posting an ad on Craigslist looking for a roommate and at least three times a woman has answered, moved in and Tanzif then allegedly assaulted her.

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The most recent incidents happened at a home at 9600 West Golf Road in Des Plaines.

In 2015, Tanzif was arrested by Des Plaines police and charged with sexual assault, kidnapping and unlawful restraint for an incident at a complex at 1000 South River Road. Tanzif was only convicted of the unlawful restraint charge and sentenced to three years.

The sheriff is worried that since it has been the exact same crime three times, there may be more victims or near victims.

"For those who might have been victimized, who are afraid to come forward, because they just want to put it behind them … he's in custody now and I believe we have a very, very, very solid case. And so I believe he'll be in custody for a long time now," said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

The sheriff says if you are a victim and you feel comfortable, they would like to talk to you.

Tanziff, if convicted, is looking at six to 30 years behind bars. He's being held on a $350,000 bond at Cook County Jail.