Police: Man tried to lure girls with candy outside West Side school

Police are warning West Side residents after a man tried to lure two young girls into his van with candy last Thursday outside a school in the Austin neighborhood.

The sisters, ages 6 and 9, were leaving the after-school program at Hay Community Academy, 1018 N. Laramie Ave., at 4:45 p.m. when a man standing next to a white van asked them, “Hi girls, do you want some candy?” according to a community alert from Area North detectives.

The girls returned back to the school and notified school personnel, police said. When the adults checked, the man and the white van were gone.

The suspect is described as a tall black male, wearing a black hooded sweat shirt, black pants and black hat, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (312) 744-8266 or submit anonymous tips to TIPSOFT.com.