Third Attempted Child Abduction in January
The vehicle in the latest incident is being described as a white, cargo-syle "E" series Ford van.
Tuesday afternoon marked the third attempted child abduction this month in the Algonquin area. The previous two occurred Jan. 3 and Jan. 17.
About 3:43 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, a 10-year-old boy was walking home from a friend's house in the Algonquin Lakes subdivision when he was approached by a Hispanic man between 30 and 35 years old, according to a news release from Algonquin police. The man asked the boy to get inside his vehicle, which is described as a white, cargo-style "E" series Ford van.
The first attempted abduction this month occurred Jan. 3 in Carpentersville, when an 11-year-old boy was waiting at his bus stop near the Silverstone subdivision. The second incident took place the morning of Jan. 17, when a 13-year-old girl was walking to her bus stop on Teton Parkway near Glacier Parkway in Algonquin.
Of the two stranger approach reports in Algonquin, one of the vehicles is described as a white, Chevrolet Astro Van without markings or signs, and the other is described as a white, Ford “E” Series van with no markings or signs.
The Jan. 17 incident had two Hispanic men between 20 and 30 years of age and the Jan. 31 report had one Hispanic male between 30 and 35 years of age. There was no active attempt to grab or force a child into a vehicle in either incident.
The community and schools in the area are on a heightened level of security and the police department has increased patrols throughout the area. The investigation is ongoing, and the police department encourages the community to be alert.
In both incidents, the children responded appropriately — they either said “No” and ran home, or just ran home to tell a parent. Algonquin police are encouraging all parents to review their safety plan with their children and are asking parents to reaffirm that a child should never get in any vehicle with an adult who is not their parent, unless it is prearranged as part of that
child’s safety plan.
Anyone with any information about these types of incidents is asked to contact the Algonquin Police Department at 1-847-658-4531.
Gioia
4:21 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I am wondering if parents have or are willing to organize a sort of "walking carpool." They can agree to walk 4-5 children home who all live in the same area at a time...or something to this effect. These creeps need to be caught, and an increased adult presence on the streets may help complete this task, or at least help ensure no more attempts are made
Amy Richard
8:13 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
@ Dominick, not everyone can afford smart phones.....just saying and honestly do you think a child is going to think about taking a picture, don't think so. They are going to be scared for their life and run!
Barb Massie
10:36 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I wouldn't want my child taking the time for photos either. More reason for that perpatrater to come after them. Turn and run. Educate your children and if at all possible, have them walk in groups. obviously, those alone, will be targeted. Hope they catch these guys. I have the talk with my kids EVERY day before school... these creeps scare me. I want my kids to be scared of them too.