CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
Three Nigerian brothers have been arrested for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in December.
Aziz Animashaun, 22, Isiaka Animashaun, 25, and Taiwo Animashaun, 26, were arrested Friday and are all charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and kidnapping for the attack that a prosecutor said happened around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 21.
Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Hamelly said the teenager was taking care of her brother that night and went to take out the trash when a black SUV filled with five or six people pulled up.
Hamelly said Aziz Animashuan told the girl to get in, but she refused. The prosecutor said the youngest of the three men hit the girl in the head with a 19th-century style handgun. She said the girl was carried to the car and seated next to Isiaka Animashaun.
Chicago police said the kidnapping happened in the 400 block of E. 83rd Street.
Then the prosecutor said they took the girl to an unknown location where court documents show she was forced to have sex with five or six people.
During the assault, Hamelly said the girl heard a foreign language she associated with Nigeria because of her experience with a teacher who spoke a similar language. At some point after the attack, Hamelly said, the girl was left alone and escaped.
Hamelly said the girl saw the black SUV when she ran away, cried out for help and was taken to a hospital.
Court records show DNA connected Taiwo Animashaun to a condom recovered at the crime scene. They also show the girl identified Aziz Animashaun as the man who hit her with the gun, and Isiaka Animashaun as another man who took part in the assault.
The prosecutor also said a gun similar to the one used in the attack was recovered from the Animashauns.
Two of the Animashaun brothers, all of whom live in the 500 block of E. 83rd, shook their heads as Hamelly explained the details of the case to Cook County Judge Israel Desierto when they appeared in bond court Sunday.
Desierto set bail for Aziz Animashaun, Isiaka Animashaun and Taiwo Animashaun at $400,000, $250,000 and $500,000, respectively. Their next court date is Monday.
Taiwo (Left), Aziz (Center), Isiaka (Right)
