Elmhurst Cops Confirm Possible Child Luring, Speak To Suspect: UPDATE

Elmhurst police are calling a late February incident in which a young boy was reportedly asked to get into a van with a middle-aged man “attempted child enticement,” authorities said in a release Monday.

Cops were called to the 500 block of West Lorraine Avenue at 2:17 p.m. Feb. 20, the release states, to investigate a suspicious person and possible child luring attempt. A boy, who is under 18 but whose age police didn’t specify, was standing outside his house when a white man in his 50’s allegedly drove up to him and asked if he’d seen his missing dog.

The man, who was described as having long brown hair and was driving a red van with stickers on it, then reportedly asked the boy if he’d be willing to get into his car to check the area with him. The boy said “no” and ran back into his house, police said. He called his mom, who told him to call the police.

Responding officers searched the area and were able to find a man who matched the boy’s description. When they talked to him, they said, the man told them that he was looking for his partially blind, brown dog and was asking residents in the area if they’d seen it. He said he thought his pet might have gotten loose.

After further investigating the situation, Elmhurst cops said they found the man’s dog in his backyard. The man reportedly denied offering anyone a ride in his van.

Elmhurst police said in the release it’s important to call 911 immediately when witnessing any suspicious circumstances like the instance above.

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