Man tries to lure girls, 13 and 15, into van on West Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are looking for a man who tried to grab two girls on the city's West Side Tuesday night.

The girls, ages 13 and 15, were walking their dog near West Chicago and North Keystone avenues around 7:10 p.m. when a white van with green stripes and rims on the front wheels pulled up next to them.

Police said the driver told the girls he had their sister in the van and asked if they wanted to see her. He then reached behind him, as if to open the door. The girls took off running along Chicago.

The man drove into an alley at Chicago and North Karlov Avenue and tried to block their way with the full-size conversion van. The girls ran again, this time toward another group of young people. Police said that's when the man finally drove away.

The girls weren't able to give police a detailed description of the suspect, since he only had the window partially rolled down while he was talking to them.

Police urge people in the area to walk in groups when possible and to be alert.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8200.