No bail for Arlington Heights man charged with kidnapping two girls
An Arlington Heights man charged with kidnapping two young girls last week was ordered held without bail Thursday so that his attorney can prepare a response to prosecutors' motion to deny bail.
Cook County Judge Marc Martin continued the bond hearing for James M. Krook to Monday, when prosecutors will argue that the 54-year-old should be held without bail because he poses a danger to the community.
Krook is charged with aggravated kidnapping, a Class X felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, the girls, ages 7 and 8, were playing at a park near an apartment complex Aug. 9 when one of the girls waved hello to Krook, who was walking nearby using a walker. He approached the girls and asked the 8-year-old if she wanted "milk from a different state." The girl tasted it and Krook laughed and said it was beer, said Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Aldina Vulic.
Krook then asked the girls to help him to the door of his apartment while telling them he was lonely, Vulic said. When the girls indicated they wanted to leave, Krook begged them to stay, said Vulic. Once inside, he offered snacks to the girls as they sat on a couch, reiterating he was lonely, Vulic said.
Krook told the girls to join him on the patio, said Vulic. They followed and again asked to leave at which point Krook began yelling at them and they started to cry, Vulic said. He then raised his shirt and began to undo his pants when a resident of the complex and her friend saw the girls crying from about 35 feet away.
According to prosecutors, the witnesses told the girls to run to them and called the police.