Police: Stranger approached kids in Villa Park

Villa Park police are investigating two incidents where an unknown driver approached children walking on local streets.

Today, authorities said they are unsure if the events are related.

An 11-year-old girl told police she was walking home from school near Harvard Avenue and Central Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3 when a white, Toyota pickup truck slowed to her pace. The male driver asked the child if she wanted candy.

Police said the girl ran north to the nearest intersection at Harvard and School Street, and the driver left the scene.

Villa Park Lt. Mike Lay said the driver used no force and did not exit the truck.

The next day, last Thursday, a similar incident occurred about two miles north, near Ellsworth Avenue and Hill Street.

A 9-year-old boy told police he was dropped off by a school bus at the intersection of Ellsworth and Hill when a white, Ford pickup truck pulled up next to him. The male driver asked the child if he wanted a ride home.

Lay said the child fled, and the driver also left the scene.

"Both children did exactly what they should do," Lay said. "They ran away from the area to the nearest busy intersection without engaging in conversation."

Anyone with information about these incidents should call the Villa Park police at (630) 834-7447.