Girl, 13, escapes attack in Little Village

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police say a 13-year-old girl managed to kick a stranger and escape after he grabbed her by the throat in Little Village.

The attack occurred around 9:15 a.m. on Aprl 22. Police say the girl was walking in the alley on her way to Little Village Academy in the 2500-block of South Harding when a man approached her.

Police say he asked her for a dollar in Spanish, and she ignored him and walked away, but he followed and put his arm around her neck. The girl kicked him in the knee and then ran, according to police, and the man gave chase for a short distance. Police say the girl was able to run to her school, where she was safe.

"Brave, smart little girl," says Lt. Ozzie Valdez. "She kicked this gentleman and she ran to school and reported it."

Police describe the suspect as a 40-50 year old man, 5 ft. 4 in. tall, 140-160 lbs., with black hair, black eyes and an olive complexion. Police say he was wearing a black baseball cap, red jacket with a dark blue Air Jordan logo, blue jeans and white Nike logo gym shoes.

The incident has parents in the area understandably concerned.

"You can't let your kids be outside by themselves," says parent Diana Rodriguez.

Police believe the same suspect may be involved in a second attempted assault Sunday near the same location. In the second incident, the man approached a teenage boy and asked for money. Police say the boy was not grabbed by the suspect or hurt, but the description of the man who approached him is nearly the same as the description given by the girl.