Homeless man charged for robbery, confinement, sexual battery

A homeless man is being charged with robbery, confinement and sexual battery after he allegedly robbed a Bloomington woman of change, pinned her against her vehicle and grabbed her breast and genitals Tuesday.

Craig A. Blankenship, 30, was arrested by officers from the Bloomington Police Department at about 1:47 p.m. after the 26-year-old female victim reported the crime from an area Pizza Hut, BPD Detective Sgt. John Kovach said.

According to the victim, she was exiting the Anticoagulation Center at 457 S. Landmark Ave. when Blankenship allegedly approached her in the parking lot, asking for change and stating he was homeless. She told Blankenship she did not have any change and kept walking toward her car, Kovach said.

Kovach said Blankenship continued following the victim to her vehicle. When she got to her car, she leaned in and opened the center console. Kovach said Blankenship noticed she had a large amount of change in the console.

With one hand in his pocket, Blankenship allegedly told the victim, “Give me the change, or else.”

Unsure if Blankenship had a knife or gun in his pocket, Kovach said the victim gave Blankenship as much change as she could grab.

Blankenship then allegedly pinned the victim against the car so the two were face-to-face, not allowing her to leave. Kovach said Blankenship then allegedly ran his hand up her thigh, grabbing her genitals from the outside of her clothing before reaching up her shirt and grabbing her breast.

The victim then pushed Blankenship away, got into her car, locked the doors and drove away.

During her report with the police, the victim told them the suspect was a white male wearing a red shirt with a green backpack, Kovach said.

He also said Blankenship was located by the intersection of West 3rd Street and Highway 37 shortly after the crime.

After taking him into custody, police questioned Blankenship, who Kovach said told police he was in a Subway on Landmark Avenue but admitted to coming into contact with the victim. He told police he did not ask for change but couldn’t remember if he received change from the victim because it was hot outside.

Kovach said Blankenship admitted to walking to the car with the victim but denies touching her.

Police found change in Blankenship’s front right pocket.

He is being charged with robbery, a C felony; criminal confinement, a C felony; and sexual battery, a D felony.

— Mark Keierleber