Man pleads not guilty to charges of attempted murder, sexual assault in Roscoe

Updated: April 30, 2019, 5:30 p.m.

Matthew Harkey, a man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault of a 34-year-old Roscoe woman, pleaded not guilty to charges on Tuesday.

Harkey is charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, unlawful restraint and other charges.

His next court hearing is set for May 21.

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Updated: April 11, 2019, 10:03 a.m.

UPDATE: A 43-year-old man is indicted for attempted first degree murder following the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 34-year-old Roscoe woman.

Matthew Harkey is accused of sexually assaulting the woman in a home March 13 in the 5900 block of McDonald Road.

He was later captured after crashing his car in Piatt County, Illinois.

Harkey is charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, unlawful restraint and other charges.

His next appearance is scheduled at 9 a.m. April 30 in the Winnebago County Courthouse.

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Matthew Harkey, 43, is accused of sexually assaulting a 34-year-old woman in a Winnebago County home.

According to a criminal complaint in Winnebago County, Harkey held the woman unlawfully in the basement of a home in the 5900 block of McDonald Road. The complaint alleges he entered the basement with intent to commit sexual assault and theft.

Investigators say the woman escaped on her own.

Police issued a warrant for Harkey's arrest on Wednesday. Harkey was stopped Thursday morning after a police chase, which ended after he crashed his car in Piatt County, Illinois.

According to an Illinois State Police

​, acquired by the News-Gazette, Harkey was not wearing a seat belt. He was reportedly ejected from the vehicle, then taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Harkey faces charges of home invasion, aggravated criminal sexual assault, unlawful restraint, and residential burglary.

Harkey is being held in the jurisdiction of the crash on a $1 million bond. He will later be taken to Winnebago County.

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Updated: March 14, 2019, 9:05 a.m.

A Rockford man wanted by authorities for a sexual assault in Roscoe has been captured in southern Illinois near the Indiana state line.

The suspect, 43- year-old Matthew Harkey, was spotted in his car in Edgar County, Illinois between Charleston and Terre Haute, Indiana.

Police said Harkey sped off in his car, while Edgar County authorities pursued him. Winnebago County Sheriffs police report Harkey crashed his car and suffered life-threatening injuries.

Harkey is accused of breaking into a woman's house in Roscoe Wednesday afternoon. Police said Harkey abducted the woman, sexually assaulted her, and held her against her will . She was able to escape and notify authorities.

The crime is still under investigation. More details will be released as more information becomes available.

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Published: March 13, 2019, 10:50 p.m.

Roscoe police are searching for a man they say abducted a woman from her home this afternoon.

43 year old Matthew Harkey was last seen driving a silver Nissan Rogue with the license plate FP659169 and he is considered armed and dangerous.

Police say they responded to the 5900 block of McDonald Road around 1:30 p.m. for a possible abduction. A woman was found by officers with head injuries and she says she was abducted from her residence by Harkey and was able to escape him.

The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and a warrant has been issued for Harkey. He has been charged with home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated criminal sexual assault and unlawful restraint.