Chicago police are warning residents of the West Lawn neighborhood about a man who pulled a boy off playground equipment and grabbed and hugged a girl during recess at a school.
The man entered the playground in the 6400 block of South Tripp Avenue during recess at a school about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, according to police. He’s been seen in the park several times and spends time in the area of the school, according to an alert from Special Investigations Unit detectives.
On Thursday morning, the man went up to the boy and pulled him off playground equipment, police said.
When someone confronted the man,he grabbed a girl and hugged her, then became confrontational with staff at the school, according to police. The man fled south, according to police.
The alert does not identify the school, but the R.H. Lee Elementary School at 6448 S. Tripp Ave. has a playground on its property.
The man is described as white, 50 to 60 years old, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with gray hair and a gray mustache. He was wearing a jacket and long pants as well as glasses.
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Police advised parents to make sure children keep an eye out for strangers or suspicious vehicles, and report anything suspicious to an adult at once.
Adults should supervise children when they are public places and children should be told to avoid strangers in public places like playgrounds or restrooms.
Anyone with information is asked to call Special Investigations detectives at 312-492-3810.