Man In Ski Mask Tries To Lure Boy Into Vehicle In Wicker Park: Police

(STMW) -- Police are searching for a person who tried to lure a 10-year-old boy into his car in the Wicker Park neighborhood Monday morning.

The boy was walking to school in an alley in the 1300 block of North Claremont Avenue when the suspect approached him between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., according to a community alert from Shakespeare District police.

A male in a vehicle wearing a black ski mask yelled, "Hey kid, come here and get in my car," police said. The boy said no, and the man drove off.

Police think the same suspect approached other children nearby several minutes later.

The boy immediately told his teacher what happened when he arrived at school, the alert said.

The suspect is described as a white male, wearing a black ski mask and black jacket, police said. He had a light-colored goatee showing around the edges of the mask, but his age, height and weight are not known.

The vehicle is described as a black four-door Lincoln with white pinstripes, police said.

Police are encouraging parents to not let children walk alone, and to identify safe havens such as businesses or trusted neighbors along their route to school.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8200, or submit an anonymous tip at tipsoft.com.