HUMBOLDT PARK — Police have issued a community alert after a man attempted to abduct a girl waiting for a ride home from Lafayette Elementary School Monday afternoon.
According to the alert, a 9-year-old girl was waiting for a ride home from the school, located at 2714 W. Augusta Blvd., about 3 p.m. when a man tried to abduct her.
A CPS employee who spoke on condition of anonymity said the man grabbed the girl and tried to force her into a van, but the girl fought him off and got away.
The girl does not attend the school, which is in the process of closing permanently, but the school is used as a pickup and dropoff point for students who are bused to other schools for summer classes, the CPS employee said.
The suspect is described as a white man with an olive complexion, 40 to 50 years old, 5 feet, 11 inches and weighing about 170 pounds.
According to the alert, he has black hair in a "medium hair style" with a possible snake or dragon tattoo on his left arm.
He was wearing a blue tank top, blue jeans and brown shoes, and was driving a red minivan of an unknown make or model with a gray interior, the alert said.
The CPS employee said more security guards were assigned to the school on Tuesday, but the timing was coincidental as CPS was already in the process of hiring more security guards.
CPS spokesman Dave Miranda confirmed hat the incident was not related to Lafayette Elementary School and that the girl was returning home from another school.
"As for security officers at closed schools," he continued. "CPS Safety and Security is working with the CPS Transition Team to coordinate security efforts that are in line with transition activities taking place over the summer."
School security aside, police advise that children always walk in pairs or groups, be aware of their surroundings, dial 9-1-1 immediately to report suspicious activity and to never pursue a fleeing suspect.
Anyone with information about the abduction attempt is asked to call Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8380.
