Nancy R. Rotering Mayor | City of Highland Park
Nancy R. Rotering Mayor | City of Highland Park
On September 24, 2025, the Highland Park Police Department began investigating an attempted child luring incident that took place near Ridge Road and Devonshire Court earlier that afternoon. According to police, at approximately 2:45 PM, an elementary school student was approached by an unknown man driving a white box truck with visible rust near the windows after being dropped off at a bus stop close to their home.
The student reported that the driver, described as a white male with a long black beard, rolled down his window and said: "Hey kid, get in the car." The child immediately ran home and was unharmed. The suspect’s vehicle continued southbound on Ridge Road.
Authorities are seeking assistance from anyone who may have witnessed the event or has security camera footage from the area during that time. The police encourage residents or local businesses who had contractors or delivery drivers operating similar vehicles nearby to contact their Investigations Division at 847.432.7730 or call 911 if they see the vehicle or suspect.
Police are also reminding parents and guardians to discuss safety precautions with children walking to and from school or bus stops. They advise children never to approach or enter a vehicle without parental permission, to seek help immediately if approached by someone making them feel unsafe, and to report suspicious behavior.
The department referenced guidance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), noting that most abductions involve someone known to the child rather than strangers. NCMEC recommends teaching children about trusted adults—such as uniformed police officers or store clerks—and advising them not to engage with adults seeking help while they are outside alone. Children should be encouraged to run home or go to a public place if approached by someone suspicious and never leave with anyone without explicit permission from their parent or guardian.
Resources such as NCMEC’s KidSmartz program provide interactive materials for parents of children in grades K-5 in both English and Spanish. These materials include activities and scenarios designed to help children understand how to protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations. Parents are urged to ensure their children know important personal information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, and how to dial 911.
Further updates will be posted on the City of Highland Park’s website at cityhpil.com as more information becomes available.
More details about child safety resources can be found through KidSmartz at kidsmartz.org.
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