Authorities: Attempted Child Abduction in Oak Park

Update, Friday 1:40 p.m.

Police in Oak Park are questioning a man they say tried to abduct a 10-year-old Beye Elementary School student who was waiting for her school bus to arrive.

The incident took place 7:30 a.m. Thursday, when the girl was standing at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Humphrey Avenue, authorities said.

The girl told police she was approached by the driver of a red, 2008 Lincoln Town Car who asked "if she was waiting for him to pick her up." She then ran into the lobby of the nearby apartment building where she resides.

But the would-be abductor apparently wasn't finished.

When the girl returned to the bus stop with friends, the group saw the same man driving back and forth on Washington Boulevard several times, authorities said. 

The children reported the incident to Beye principal Jonthan Ellwanger, who called police.

Investigators tracked the vehicle to where the attempted abduction took place and brought the man in for questioning. His name has not been released.

Police say the investigation continues and will make more information available soon.

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From the office of State Representative (D-8th) LaShawn K. Ford:

POLICE ALERT!

The Oak Park police department has issued an alert to notify the community of an African-American individual trying to lure children into a 2008 red Lincoln Towncar with a temporary license plate.

The vehicle was last seen on Washington and Austin.

Please return to Oak Park-River Forest Patch for updates as they become available. Police in Oak Park say a press release is forthcoming.