Man who prompted Old Orchard search posed no threat, cops say

Police in Skokie say a man traced to his home in Evanston turns out to have posed no threat, even though his strange behavior prompted the closing of two major department stores at the Old Orchard Shopping Center.

Police say the 25-year-old man was bundled in a long wool coat, was wearing a scarf over his nose and had a stocking cap over his head when his odd behavior attracted notice Saturday evening. He was reportedly standing for long periods in front of store entrances, merely staring.

The man had boarded a bus and left the area by the time police arrived, but the Nordstrom's and Macy's stores were evacuated for more than four hours.