Police: Man riding bicycle approaching young girls in Evanston

Police in north suburban Evanston are investigating two separate reports of an older man who made suspicious contact with young girls as they walked to school.

The man – thought to be in his 40s or 50s – rides a bicycle and approached the girls on two separate occasions, according to a statement from Evanston police.

The first incident occurred about 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, near the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Madison Street, when the suspect approached a girl and asked her if she wanted to go to a movie, police said. The girl ran to her sister and the suspect fled, police said.

The following day, the man approached another girl about 9:10 a.m. near Austin Street and Elmwood Avenue. That girl screamed at the suspect and he rode away on his bicycle, police said.

Police have since increased patrols in those areas.

The suspect is a 5-foot-8 black man, with a medium to large build, dark complexion, moustache and black marks on the side of his face, police said. He also has a gap in middle of his teeth.

He was last seen wearing a dark blue winter hat, dark brown coat and jeans while riding a blue bicycle.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Evanston police at (847) 866-5000.