Cops: Evanston man on bicycle offered girl cash, phone number

A 37-year-old man who offered a 14-year-old girl cash to take his phone number and watch a movie with him was arrested by police in north suburban Evanston after the girl passed his information along to detectives.

The man approached the girl on his bicycle on April 21, 2015, near the intersection of Sherman and Madison, according to a statement from Evanston police. The girl was on her way to school when the man offered her $20 to take his number and watch a movie with him.

The girl declined the offer and left to catch up with friends, police said. That same day, the man approached the girl again, insisting she take his phone number.

The girl obliged and took the man’s number – which was written on a piece of paper – and handed the information over to police. He was subsequently tracked down and arrested.

Michael R. Clarke, of Evanston, was charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, police said.

While detectives believe Clarke may be responsible for a similar incident that occurred on April 22, 2015, near Austin and Elmwood, they were unable to charge him because of lack of evidence, police said. In that instance, a man on a bicycle approached a girl and asked her if she wanted to see a movie.