Police: Man Tried To Lure Girl, 9, Near Austin Elementary School
(STMW) -- Police are alerting the public about a man who tried to lure a child by saying he'd harm her parents.
The 9-year-old girl was near her school in the 700 block of North Lorel Avenue about 3:25 p.m. Tuesday when a man approached her and tried to coax her to come with him, Austin District police said in a community alert.
The man threatened to hurt her parents if she did not come with him, but the girl ran away and told an adult, the alert said.
Julia Ward Howe Elementary School of Excellence is located in that same block, according to the Chicago Public Schools website.
Authorities are warning parents not to let children travel alone or stand alone at bus stops or in public areas, the alert said. Adults should also develop safe houses where children can go if they feel they are in danger.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Area North detectives at (312) 744-8261.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)