Lake County Man Tries to Abduct Four Girls

A Lake Villa man is in jail on $1 million bond after he was arrested Wednesday by the Lake County Sheriff's Department for attempting to abduct four little girls in Beach Park.

Henry Wright, 29, of the 25000 block of Arcade Dr. in Lake Villa, is charged with four counts of Attempted Aggravated Kidnapping and four counts of Child Abduction.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department reported that Wright attempted to abduct the four girls, ranging in age from 4 to 8, at about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the 39100 block of Welsh Lane in Beach Park.

Chased the girls

Wright reportedly approached the girls while driving a black 2010 Toyota Camry and asked them if they wanted a ride. The children told him no then ran from him. Wright then gave chase, according to a sheriff's press release.

The girls were able to run away unharmed. One of the girls told her mother who provideed Wright’s license plate to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Hit and run

During the search for Wright, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a hit and run accident at Wadsworth and Delany roads involving Wright's vehicle.

The Waukegan Police Department located the vehicle at Yorkhouse and Delany roads. Wright was then turned over to Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

As a result of the hit and run, Wright was also issued traffic citations for failure to reduce to avoid an accident, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to give aid or information and not having insurance.

Wright’s jail bond is set at $1 million. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 3.

Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. commends the quick thinking of the children.

"I think the lessons of stranger danger are worth repeating," he said.