Girls targeted in Evanston abduction attempts

September 14, 2009 (EVANSTON, Ill.) Between Sunday and Monday, three girls reported two separate incidents in which a man in a blue van tried to get them to go with him. The first incident, about 5:50 p.m. Sunday at Oakton and Darrow, involved two girls. They said a man in a van told them to get into the van, and when they refused, be stepped out of the van. They began screaming for help, and the man fled, police say.

On Monday about 8:30 a.m., a 14-year-old girl was in front of Chute School on Oakton when a man - whose description and van were similar to Sunday's incident - motioned for her to get into his van. That victim went into the school to report the incident. When school staff checked for the van, it was not in the area.

The man is described as possibly Hispanic, in his 30s, heavy build, 5'10" with a possible cross tattoo on his left forearm. On Sunday, he wore a blue-and-white-striped shirt and blue jeans. On Monday, he was wearing a red shirt.

The van is described as blue, possibly a Chrysler, with crosses possibly hanging from the rearview mirror.

Parents are advised to provide supervision to children walking to school or waiting for the bus, to have kids walk in groups, to remind them not to approach strange people or vehicles and to notify police of any suspicious behavior.

Anyone with information on the incidents should call police at (847) 866-5050 or (847) 866-5040.