Man exposed himself to boy, 14, in Near North Side parking garage, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Investigators are examining surveillance video to try to identify a man who lured a 14-year-old boy into a parking garage on Chicago's Near North Side.

Authorities said a man lured the 14-year-old boy into the stairwell of a parking garage in the 100-block of West Chestnut Street around 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Police said the man exposed himself to the boy, but did not touch him. The victim was able to get away and call police.

Neighbors told ABC7 Eyewitness News the teen does not live in the building, but may have just been in the area when the suspect approached him. Neighbors also said they generally feel safe in the apartments and in the area.

"I'm pretty shocked. We haven't really had anything like that. Not in a while. I remember last summer there was something over on the other side of the park. But that was it. Usually this area is pretty safe," said Zachary Edgar, who lives in the neighborhood.

But one resident, Alexandra Wright, said her building needs more security.

"It's definitely a shocking thing. I'm a little worried that this could happen here. We have doorman and everything. I thought that this was a really safe place," Wright said.

The parking garage has surveillance cameras installed. But Interpark, the company that owns the garage, did not comment on the incident.

Police said the suspect was wearing a red hat, a red shirt and a red zip-up hooded sweatshirt. He also has a scar across his nose and a goatee.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged sex abuse should contact Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380.