Report of Attempted Abduction Last Week Was "Not Bona fide," According to Elmhurst Police

A press release distributed by Bensenville police last week had Elmhurst parents concerned that their children might be in danger, but information obtained from Elmhurst police Oct. 25 should put their minds at ease.

The release, dated Oct. 18, stated that a 14-year-old girl was approached on Oct. 17 near Butterfield and York roads by a man who asked her to get in his car and show him how to get to Bryan Middle School. The released included a drawing of the man and a description.

Through the Elmhurst e-moms Facebook page, word spread to a number of Elmhurst families, who were upset and wondering why they were not informed by Elmhurst police and Elmhurst School District 205. The release was sent to Elmhurst Patch by a community member on Wednesday.

Elmhurst Deputy Police Chief James Kveton on Thursday said that great care is taken when these reports are made to ensure that they are bona fide. In this case, police suspected there was no foul play and followup detective work supported that determination.

The driver who spoke to the girl was, in fact, having trouble finding his destination, but he was not looking for Bryan Middle School. He was working for a "Medicare company" and trying to find Lexington Health Care, Kveton said. He was driving a specialized van for transporting elderly clients.

He never asked the girl to get in his vehicle; she was wearing headphones listening to music and didn't hear him correctly, Kveton said.

It was the first time the driver had gone to Lexington, as his business was under a new contract with the retirement home, he said.

"He had driven up and down Butterfield a few times and didn't find it, and he stopped and asked the girl if she knew where it was," Kveton said. "He was having a hard time picking up his client. That's all."

Police in neighboring towns often work cooperatively when incidents of this nature are reported, but Elmhurst police did not authorize the release.