Crime & Safety
Police Investigate Possible Abduction Attempts of Teens
Boy in La Grange Park, 2 girls in La Grange approached by a suspicious of man in a car.
The La Grange and La Grange Park police departments are working together to determine whether an within three days, of a man in a car trying to get teens to get into his car, are related.
Ed Rompa, La Grange Park police commander, said, “We’re looking at it through investigations; we’re working with La Grange.” A La Grange police investigator was not available for comment Thursday.
The latest incident occurred at about 1 p.m. July 22, when a 15-year-old boy walking near 30th Street and Robinhood Lane was approached by a man driving a dark-colored vehicle who asked for directions to Woodridge. The man grabbed the teen, who was able to free himself from the man’s grip and go home. He was not reported injured.
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The driver is described as about 50 years old, having short brown hair and a dark brown goatee. The teen said he believes the license plate begins with the letters PQ. The car last was seen going west on 30th Street. Police have no other description of the vehicle.
All area law enforcement agencies–including the FBI, state police, Cook County sheriff’s police and Chicago Police Department–have been notified about the incident, according to a La Grange Park police safety brief.
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Police are asking residents to remain vigilant and immediately notify the La Grange Police Department—at 708-352-2171, or 9-1-1 during an emergency—of any suspicious activity or with information about the incident.
On July 19, near McDonalds, 100 N. LaGrange Road. The girls were walking near the McDonalds when they were approached by a man in an unknown vehicle who tried talking to them. They continued walking and said the vehicle circled around. They hid in La Grange Park and called 9-1-1. La Grange Park police initially responded.
The driver was described as having short, curly dark hair, a dark complexion and speaking with a foreign accent.
La Grange police are advising parents to make sure their children stay aware of their surroundings and go over a plan with them on what action to take. With more youths having a cell phone, they should call 9-1-1, said Patrick Fulla, La Grange police investigator.
