Police Investigate Attempts to Lure Children in Highwood

The information below comes from the Cities of Highwood and Highland Park.

The Highwood and Highland Park police are investigating four incidents in the past two weeks where students reported that they were approached by adults asking them if they wanted a ride.

The first two both occurred after school outside of Oak Terrace School, on April 22 and April 24. The suspect was described as a white male in his mid-30s with black spiky hair, a goatee and a tattoo of a star on his forearm.

On May 7, a Northwood junior high student reported that she was approached near the Highwood Ballpark by a man in a vehicle asking if she wanted a ride. She refused and the man drove off.

The man is described as a white male with fair skin in his late 40s, medium build, gray hair and wearing sunglasses. He was driving a newer dark green SUV with a lift kit and large tires.

Yesterday morning, an Oak Terrace student reported she was approached as she was walking to school by a woman in a silver minivan who asked her if she wanted a ride. The girl refused, but said the van followed her for a block and a half until she got to school.

None of these instances involved any physical contact with children, and in all cases, the children refused the rides and got to a place of safety.

Police Response

Highland Park and Highwood police departments have both increased patrols near schools before and after school in Highwood and Highland Park.

The police are taking all reports seriously and are thoroughly investigating each one. They are also sharing information with other area police departments. The respective police departments are continuing to investigate these matters.

If anyone has information about these suspects or incidents, please contact the Highwood Police Department at 847-604-8992, or the Highland Park Police at 847-432-7730.

School Response

Communications have been sent home to district parents and staff alerting them to these incidents, and encouraging parents to review basic safety procedures with their children. Staff at Oak Terrace have reviewed safety procedures with students.

The district incorporates stranger awareness as a normal part of its curriculum.

Given the heightened concern over recent incidents, our staff is developing a plan to review and reinforce these lessons at all schools.

Basic safety rules to remind children:

• Never accept gifts or food from a strange
• Never get in a car with a stranger
• Always tell your parents or a trusted adult where you are going
• Walk to school in pairs or groups for safety
• Tell a trusted adult---parent, teacher or police officer---if you feel unsafe or if you have been
• approached by a stranger
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Trust your instincts if you have a bad feeling about a place or person

Statement from Highwood Police

While we appreciate the media assistance in sharing this information, we can assure the community that the Highwood Police Department, in conjunction with other local law enforcement agencies, are investigating every lead and tip that has been received.

Please keep in mind that this is an ongoing investigation, and therefore, no further details can be released at this time. However, we are releasing the latest composite sketch of a female white suspect from the incident on May 8th at 8am.

We continue to work closely with North Shore School District 112 to maintain the safety of the children and identify any suspects in this case.

Chief Dave Wentz
Highwood Police Department

Statement from Highwood Mayor

As your Mayor and father to three children in our community schools, I want to inform you of what is being done to insure the safety of our children and our community.

After the first reported suspicious incident, the City of Highwood Police Department doubled its on‐duty staff to aid in the investigation, and continues to proactively patrol the community.

Every tip is being thoroughly investigated and they are working together with multiple agencies and neighboring police departments to resolve this situation.

I want to commend the North Shore School District 112 for their ongoing education of our children on “stranger danger” and their ongoing communications with the parents throughout our community.

They are not only keeping our children safe, but also educating them on what to look for and how to react. I assure you that no stone is left unturned. Any and all resources are utilized to keep our children safe and to keep us parents and our neighbors informed.

As Mayor and a parent, please know that the Highwood Police Department and the North Shore School District 112 are doing everything possible to put an end to these events. Finally, I ask you to please take a look at the composite sketches and descriptions and stay vigilant.

We are a tight, passionate community and now need to focus our strengths to help the City put an end to this. I also ask that if you have any information, please do not hesitate to contact the Highwood Police Department so they can follow up accordingly.

Charlie Pecaro
Highwood Mayor 

For complete Highland Park news and updates, sign up for our free newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.