Vernon Hills police looking for man who may have tried to lure boys into car

Vernon Hills police said they are investigating whether a man tried to lure two boys into a car.

The 10-year-old boys were riding bicycles on the sidewalk near Lexington Drive and Elm Tree Lane about 6:15 p.m. Friday when a man driving an older model station wagon or Saturn pulled up and said "I need directions, get in the car," department spokesman Kim Christenson said Monday.

The boys refused, and the man drove north on Deerpath to Route 60, Christenson said. After the car disappeared, the boys rode home and told their parents, who phoned police.

"He didn't try and grab the children and no threats were made," Christenson said. "We don't want to alarm anyone; the contact was all verbal, and no weapon was visible."

Christenson said the driver was described by the children as a white male in his 30s, average height and weight, with short, light-brown hair. The man spoke with a European or Russian accent.

He also said a small black-and-white dog sitting on the driver's lap was spotted by the children.

The boys told police the dark-blue vehicle had a license plate beginning with a "P99," Christenson said.

The boys did the correct thing, Christenson said, by staying away from the vehicle and quickly telling a parent.

The Vernon Hills police ask parents to review safety procedures with their children so they are prepared in the event of an encounter with a stranger.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Vernon Hills police at (847) 362-4449 and ask for the investigation division.