Grayslake officials urge caution after attempted kidnapping

Grayslake school officials are suggesting that students should not walk alone to and from school or bus stops in the coming days, in the wake of an attempted kidnapping last week.

Superintendent Lynn Glickman wrote in a message to the school community Sunday that Grayslake police have confirmed they will increase their presence in the area of the attempted abduction while the search for a suspect continues.

“We hope that any students walking to and from school or bus stops will do so with friends, siblings, or parents/guardians in order to enhance safety, especially while the suspects have not yet been apprehended,” Glickman wrote.

According to police, the kidnapping attempt occurred late Friday afternoon in the 700 block of Cherry Creek Drive, in the Cherry Creek subdivision.

The victim reported they were walking home when a gray or silver minivan occupied by two male subjects stopped next to them. One man, described as approximately 5’8”, 200 pounds and wearing a blue surgical mask and black hooded shirt, got out and attempted to force the victim into the vehicle, police said.

The victim was able to evade the grasp of the offender and escape. The vehicle left the area and was last seen heading towards Atkinson Road, according to police.

The attempted abduction occurred three days after police in Round Lake reported that a man driving what appeared to be a Toyota Sienna minivan attempted to lure two children into the vehicle MacGillis Drive between Whispering Oaks and Treehouse lanes.

Police said officers responded to the area about 6:50 a.m. for two separate reports of attempted luring. The suspect wax described as standing about 5’2“, with a slender/skinny build, short facial hair on his chin and speaking with a slight accent. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark or black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up.