14-Year-Old Kidnapped, Forced Into Sexual Act On The Way To School: Police

EVANSTON, IL — Last week, police arrested a man suspected of kidnapping a 14-year-old girl who was on her way to school and forcing her into sexual acts.

In the morning of Dec. 3, the teen was in the 100 block of Chicago Avenue when she missed her bus to Evanston Township High School. A man driving by in a gray 2007 Acura RDX SUV approached the girl, and after learning she was running late, offered her a ride.

Once in the vehicle and on the way to the school, the man implied he had a knife and coerced the girl into touching him in a sexual manner, police said. The man then continued to the high school and dropped the girl off, she was not physically injured.

The next day, the victim reported the incident to a School Resource Officer, initiating an investigation. Using the appearance and vehicle descriptions that the girl gave officers, the Evanston Police Department located the vehicle on camera in the ETHS area.

With that information, detectives identified 43-year-old Artrez Drane, who is unhoused, as the suspect. Chicago police stopped Drane in the 1800 block of West Pratt Boulevard on Monday, and EPD responded to take the man into custody.

"During an interview, Drane made statements indicating he was the offender," EPD said in a statement.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the investigation and approved a felony kidnapping charge and two felony criminal sexual abuse charges.

Police believe Drane could be involved with additional incidents. His vehicle was described as a gray 2007 Acura RDX SUV with a damaged front passenger door that cannot be opened. Drane was described as a 5 feet 8 inches tall Black man.

Anyone who may have additional information about this incident or additional incidents was urged to contact the EPD Detective Bureau at 847-866-5040. Community members may also Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) and begin their message with EPDTIP.