LINCOLN PARK — Police issued a community crime alert Thursday night after a man in a van on the 1500 block of W. Fullerton Avenue tried to entice two girls with an offer of candy Monday evening.
The alert, issued by the Bureau of Detectives, told local residents to be on the lookout for a man in a white panel van, possibly a Ford, with a dent on the driver's side and no noticeable logos or stickers.
According to police, a Hispanic man age 20-30 with a beard, slicked back hair and possibly wearing a Bears jacket — orange, blue and white — tried to lure two girls, ages 10 and 7, into the van with an offer of candy about 7 p.m. Monday.
The girls told police they'd seen a similar or possibly the same van when leaving their home that morning, but this was the first time the lone person in the van had spoken to them.
"The male Hispanic driver (sole occupant) asked the victims to come here and get some candy in a deep voice," according to police, and "the victims ran away to their residence."
Police advised citizens to be vigilant and call 911 to report any suspicious activity. It advised parents to not allow their children to walk or play alone and to "identify safe havens along your child's route to school and home, such as businesses or trusted neighbors."
Anyone with any specific information on the incident should call the Bureau of Detectives at 312-747-8380.
