Letter to the Editor: Attempted Abduction of Lemont Teen Serves as Wake-Up Call for Parents, Kids

Lemont Patch is , which will be posted on the site weekly. If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Lemont Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com.

Two weeks ago, a man driving an older model dark green SUV thankfully failed in his . It was 7:15 at night and she was walking home from Lemont High School. When he stopped her to ask for directions, she tried to ignore him. It was when he got out of his vehicle, grabbed her by the arm, and tried to force her into his car that she ran as fast as she could.   

Because Lemont is such a tight-knit community, word of in neighboring Homer Glen spread like wildfire -- and so did the panic.

After receiving numerous e-mails from concerned members of the Lemont community, Police Chief Kevin Shaugnessy clarified at the Village Board meeting Nov. 8 that these are two separate offenders.

While the man Nov. 3 was described as a young, white male with close cropped hair and facial stubble, the Will County Sherriff's Office is searching for the driver of a white Durango who is older with a white beard, "like Santa Claus," and a teenage passenger with very short hair.  In Homer Glen's attempted abductions, these men were luring young children to their car with candy.

At the Lemont Village Board meeting, Lemont Police Chief Kevin Shaughnessy stressed the importance of discussing with their children.

In this horrific time, it is easy to find ourselves in panic mode. But, I encourage all of us to follow very basic safety precautions such as not letting our children walk home alone, reminding them not to talk to strangers and instilling in our children the importance of calling 911 in case of any emergency. It is because that brave young girl acted with courage and common sense that she is here today.

Charlene Recio
Lockport, IL