Police: Man tried to lure girl into van after school

A man tried to lure a girl into his minivan Wednesday afternoon in the Southwest Side Archer Heights neighborhood.

The girl encountered the man about 3:15 p.m. in the 4700 block of South Komensky, police said in a community alert. He told the girl that her mother asked him to pick her up from school.

When she refused to go with him, he drove off, police said. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweat shirt, driving a dirty red minivan with dents and scratches.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (312) 747-8380.

Parents should also make sure children to not walk or play alone, and should identify safe havens like businesses or trusted neighbors along their route to school, the alert said.