Libertyville cops seeking suspect in attempted robbery

Libertyville police are searching for a man who threatened a 23-year-old woman with a gun in a municipal parking lot at Brainerd Avenue and Lake Street.

Police Chief Pat Carey said the victim was walking in the northwest area of the parking lot Monday evening and noticed a scratch on the side of her car. While she was checking the damage, a man approached her and pointed an object at her that she believed to be a handgun, Carey said.

Police have officially classified the crime as an aggravated assault, Carey said, because of the use of the weapon. However, he said, it is unclear if the offender was trying to assault the woman or rob her.

The victim was told not to scream, but she did so anyway, Carey said, and the man fled the area, most likely to the south. The woman was not injured.

The offender is reported to be Hispanic, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall with an average build. He did not have any eyewear or facial hair, but was wearing a black Windbreaker with a green hooded sweatshirt underneath. He also had some sort of fabric covering his mouth, Carey said.

Police were assisted by the Lake County Sheriff's Police and a K-9 unit, Carey said, but the offender was not found.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact police at (847) 362-8310.