McHenry County Blog

from the Spring Grove Police Department:

A report of a possible child abduction occurred in unincorporated Spring Grove.

School and transportation personnel have been notified.

An incident in unincorporated Spring Grove (Lotus Woods Subdivision) reportedly took place recently that is worth reporting to you.

A male, driving a black work van and wearing a black ski mask, approached a 12 year old male after being dropped off at his school bus stop. The offender pulled alongside the child and asked for directions, offered to give the boy a ride home, and indicated he knew the boy’s mother. When the boy declined the ride, the driver sped off.

Although the intentions of the man are unknown, this situation is a reminder for us to reinforce to our children the importance of good safety tips when approached by strangers. Please continue to remind your child to never approach a strange vehicle or an unfamiliar individual regardless of what the person may say, and to notify an adult immediately when this type of situation occurs.

Please report any suspicious incidents to your local police department. School and transportation department personnel have been informed.

Richmond Police Department: 815-678-2351
Spring Grove Police Department: 815-675-2596

Grant and University, Harvard, IL

A press release from the Harvard Police Department:

On 09-04-12 at 0800 hrs Police responded to the area of Grant and University Sts for an Attempted Child Luring.

A Harvard Youth (m/11 yoa) reported he was approached by a male subject, wearing a grey colored hooded sweatshirt, black gloves and red and white gym shoes, who offered the youth candy to get in his vehicle with him.

After the youth ran away, the subject left southbound on Grant St, from University St, in a black four door vehicle, with black rims and tinted windows.

This incident is under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harvard Police Department with any information (815) 943-4431 or Harvard Crime Stoppers (815) 943-4343.

The Sheriff’s Department advises the following:

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Attempted Child Abduction in the Hebron Area

The attempted abduction Tuesday afternoon was near VanderKarr and Kemman Roads

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today that on August 16, 2010 at approximately 4:25 p.m. members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an attempted child abduction.

Deputies spoke with the juvenile victim on scene who stated that while riding his bicycle near Kenman Rd. and Vanderkarr Rd., Hebron, Illinois he was approached by a man in a red vehicle.

The offender asked the victim for directions and actively tried to get the victim into the car.

Members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division spoke with the victim and determined that the offender was driving a red in color four door vehicle similar to a Chevy Cobalt.

The victim described the vehicle as new and had Illinois license plates. No other indicative features of the vehicle stood out to the victim.

The victim described the offender as a white male in his late 20’s, with blonde or light brown hair, wearing a white tee shirt, and cargo shorts.

Sheriff Keith Nygren encourages anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact either the Crime Stoppers of McHenry County at 1-800-762-STOP(7867), the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at (815)33-2144, or the tip line email address; TipLine@co.mchenry.il.us. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the offenders(s). Crime Stoppers does not use caller ID.

Last week, parents and personnel at West Grade School in Crystal Lake had a scare when a guy tried to talk a nine-year old girl into getting into his car.

Yesterday after school, a similar event occurred.

At 11:24 this District 47 parent got another call from Lori Parrish, the school district’s Director of Communications.

The “important message,” also translated into Spanish, follows:

“On Tuesday, February 16th, 2010, at approximately 3:50 a student of Coventry Elementary School was approached in the area of Birkshire Drive near Coventry Lane, Crystal Lake, by two unidentified male subjects driving what was described as a black 2-door older model vehicle with a boxy back and a partial license plate of 646.

“The subjects within the vehicle attempted to engage the child in a conversation; however, the child ran away, notified a parent and was not pursued by the suspicious vehicle.

“Children are reminded not to approach individuals they do not know and report suspicious activity to their parents, school faculty and/or police.

“This matter remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

“Thank you.”

Posted at 11:56 AM.

West Elementary School, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Parents of District 47 children are receiving phone calls about an attempted abduction of a 9-year old girl at the corner of Briarwood and North Avenue on the west end of Crystal Lake.

The girl was walking to school when a 20-40 year old male with tan skin and dark brown hair asked her if she wanted a ride to school.

She said, “No,” and ran down the street several blocks to West Elementary School.

The intersection of Briarwood and North Avenue long after the 13 police officers, mainly Sheriff's Deputies, had left.

The man, driving a tan 4-door sedan, was described as wearing as clean shaven and wearing not glasses or jewelry.

The abduction attempt occurred between 8:35 and 8:47 AM.

Lori Parrish, the Crystal Lake Grade School Communications Director, made the phone call. She asked that parents discuss with their children the problem of “stranger danger.”

No wonder so many parents insist on driving their children to and from school.

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Apparently, the crime took place outside of Crystal Lake’s city limits, because the Crystal Lake Police Department is reporting that the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department has primary jurisdiction.

When I took the photos I measured the distance from North Avenue to the school.  It was two-tenths of a mile.