Child-luring information not accurate, says City of Highland Park

A Highland Park police investigation into a report that a man attempted to lure a child into his truck this week determined the report was unfounded and the suspect did not actually attempt to lure the child.

A resident reported to the Highland Park Police Department around 7 p.m. on Wednesday that an elementary-school-age student said they were dropped off by a school bus near their residence around 2:45 p.m. when they were approached by a man in a white box truck, a city news release says.

The man reportedly pulled up close to the child near Ridge Road and Devonshire Court, rolled down his window and said “Hey kid, get in the car.” The student reportedly ran home and is safe. 

The suspect vehicle, described as a white box truck with noticeable rust near the windows, reportedly continued traveling south on Ridge Road. The suspect, the lone occupant of the truck, was reportedly described as a white man with a long black beard.

The original news release that the City of Highland Park distributed around 10:17 p.m. on Wednesday asked for anyone who may have witnessed the event or has security camera footage from the area to contact the Highland Park police.

Likewise, the original news release asked for local businesses who have contractors, delivery drivers or service workers operating a similar vehicle in the area to contact Highland Park police.

But an update distributed by the city around 5:35 p.m. on Thursday said police reviewed video footage, identified the truck and driver, and “determined that this was not an attempted luring incident.”

The vehicle was in the area at the time of the reported incident, but “video and audio from the vehicle’s cabin indicated that nothing was stated,” the city news release said. 

Electronic license plate readers and security video footage from the nearby Highland Park Police Station identified the suspect and the commercial vehicle he was in at the time of the reported incident, Amanda Bennet, the city communications manager said.

“The City takes every reported public safety concern seriously, and investigations into reported threats begin immediately,” the city news release said.

“The City shares information about active investigations as appropriate to help residents understand potential safety issues and make informed decisions for themselves and their families,” the release added. “Fortunately, the investigation determined there was no risk to the student in this case.”

The child was a Deerfield District 109 student, a Thursday news release sent out to the North Shore Education District 112 community from Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld said. 

The city of Highland Park encouraged families to talk with children about safety precautions they should take in similar circumstances, including to never approach or enter a vehicle without a parent or guardian’s permission. 

As most child abductions involve a relative or someone the child knows, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends that parents teach kids to run away from and report behaviors and situations that make the child feel uncomfortable.

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