Evanston police are investigating reports of two suspicious incidents this week in which a young girl walking to school was approached by man on a blue bicycle who tried to engage her in conversation.
On Tuesday about 9:50 a.m. a girl was walking to school in the vicinity of Sherman Avenue and Madison Street when a male black on a bicycle rode up, spoke with her and told her he wanted to take her to a movie.
After catching up to a fellow female student who was walking ahead of her and telling the man she was her sister, the subject rode away on his bike westbound in an alley. The man was described as 40 to 50 years old with a dark complexion and medium build. He had a moustache and was missing a tooth. He was wearing a beige hat and dark jacket.
Then Wednesday about 9:10 a.m. a girl walking to school in the vicinity of Austin Street and Elmwood Avenue, about half a mile south of the first incident, was approached by a male black on a bicycle who attempted to engage her in conversation.
She reportedly screamed at the subject to get away from her, ran and, when she turned around, the subject was gone.
The man was described as approximately 5-feet-8-inches to 6-feet tall, medium to dark complexion, medium to large build with black marks on the left side of his face and a gap in the middle of his upper teeth. He was wearing a dark blue winter hat, dark brown coat and blue jeans.
Juvenile Detectives are continuing to investigate whether these incidents are related and are alerting the public to make their children aware as well as determine if anyone has seen anything. Police have also increased patrols around schools in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Evanston Police Department at 847-866-5000 and ask for the Juvenile Bureau. Anonymous tips can be sent via text message to CRIMES (274637) followed by EPDTIP in the message line, and then your tip information.