An 11-year-old student being stalked by a man who approached her and asked her questions as she walked home from school in north suburban Waukegan got his license plate number and good description that led to his arrest.
Michael Johnson, 52 , of the 1600 block of 17th Street, North Chicago, was arrested and charged with child abduction, a Class 4 felony, for attempting to lure a child under 16 into a motor vehicle without consent of the child's parent or guardian.
On Nov. 19, Waukegan school officials contacted police to tell them about what the middle school student had encountered on her way her home on Nov. 12 when Johnson allegedly first tried to talk to her.
On the next day, she saw the same man in the parking lot of her school and then he followed her in his vehicle as she walked home to school. During her walk he approached her at one point when she was alone and asked her multiple questions. She ignored him and left the area, reporting the incident to school officials later.
With the description of the suspect and the license plate number police found the owner was Johnson. This week police questioned him and he admitted to his actions.
Police explained that the charge of child abduction is the charge, whether or not the child is actually lured into the vehicle or not. As of Friday he had not been taken to bond court.
"This child did everything right in removing herself from the dangerous situation, getting the license plate of the car and giving us a good description of this pervert," said Police Chief Daniel Greathouse. "Any person who is so low as to prey on innocent children needs to be locked up for a long period of time. I encourage all parents to talk to their children about strangers."
Anyone who believes Johnson may have contacted their children should contact the police department.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
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A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
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Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
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Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
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Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
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Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
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