Palatine police release sketch of suspect in attempted abduction

Palatine police released a sketch of a man they say attempted to abduct two girls Sunday night on the 500 block of West Helen Road.

Cmdr. Michael Seebacher said finding the man is a very high priority case for the department and that input from the public may provide the break they need.

"This is a case where we are trying to put out as much information as possible so we can hopefully find someone out there who knows more and can help us," Seebacher said.

In addition to asking the public for input, Seebacher said detectives are collaborating with other suburban police departments to see if there are cases that might involve the same suspect.

According to police, just after 9 p.m. Sunday a man got out of a minivan and told one of the girls to come over to him. He then reached out and attempted to grab her. The man was able to get a hand on the girl, but she managed to get away while the second girl ran to a nearby house to call police. The man then drove west on Helen Road. Neither girl was injured.

The teenagers described the man as being in his 30s with a dark complexion, around 6 feet tall, heavy set, with thinning hair and dark facial stubble. He was wearing a white shirt and tan shorts.

His vehicle was described as being an older model minivan, either dark-colored or silver.

Seebacher said anyone who sees a minivan matching that description suspiciously cruising around their neighborhood should call 9-1-1 and anyone with other information about the attempted abduction is asked to call Palatine police at (847) 359-9000.