Police say Lake Villa man tried to abduct little girls

A man accused of trying to abduct four young girls was arrested, thanks to information provided by an alert mother, Lake County authorities said.

Henry Wright, 29, of the 25000 block of Arcade Drive in unincorporated Lake Villa Township, was held Thursday on a $1 million bond at the Lake County jail.

The charges against Wright include four counts of attempted aggravated kidnapping and four counts of child abduction.

Lake County sheriff’s office Sgt. Sara Balmes said Wright attempted to abduct the four girls — ages 4 to 8 — on the 39000 block of Welsh Lane in Beach Park about 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Wright approached the girls and asked if they needed a ride as he drove a black 2010 Toyota Camry, according to police. Balmes said the children refused Wright’s offer and ran away, but he chased them.

After escaping unharmed, one of the girls ran home and told her mother what happened, Balmes said.

She said the mother got the full license plate number on Wright’s car before he left the area.

As sheriff’s deputies were searching for Wright, Balmes said, a hit-and-run crash involving his Toyota and another car occurred at Wadsworth and Delany roads.

Waukegan police found the smashed car at Yorkhouse and Delany roads, then seized Wright and turned him over to the sheriff’s office.

Wright also was issued traffic tickets for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to give aid or information and no insurance.