Harvey abduction attempt may be connected to Chicago kidnapping

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- Harvey police have released surveillance video in an abduction attempt last week and police said it could be connected to a kidnapping in Chicago.

The victim told police that last week she was nearly abducted by an armed person as she was entering her home near West 157th Street and South Ashland Avenue, police said

The woman was walking her dog before work last Friday at 5:10 a.m. and noticed her dog was acting funny. The victim heard a noise and saw a male subject in her peripheral vision.

The victim picked up her pace and as she was entering her residence, she saw the person run up her stairs and onto the porch. The victim slammed the door and saw the person hold a gun in one hand as he attempted to open the door, police said.

Surveillance video from a camera on the building shows a white van suspiciously pulling back and forth in front of the residence. The video showed the suspect enter the passenger side of a van and flee after failing to gain entry.

Police said they are looking for at least two suspects in connection with the attempted abduction, with one being the getaway driver.

Harvey police said it may be connected with an abduction in Chicago on Wednesday. The female victim in that abduction was eventually dumped in Harvey, Harvey police said.

"This is not a common crime, you know, abductions are not common, kidnappings are not common. Oddly with what happened in Chicago, we come back to our residents here in Harvey," said Harvey Police Deputy Chief Gregory Thomas. "We need to alert our community to be more vigilant and we are asking for their assistance and we know someone out there knows who this individual is and we are asking them to do the right thing and help us remove them from society."

Chicago police said a 37-year-old woman was kidnapped at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the 8100-block of South Western. She was not injured.

Harvey police said a green van was used in the abduction on Wednesday in Chicago. Both police departments are working together to determine if the crimes are related

In the meantime, police encouraged residents to be vigilant.

"We are asking that our citizens use their front porch lights as well as if you are out in dark times or you are walking your dog, if you have a flash light, carry it with you," Thomas said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harvey Police Department at 708-331-2131.