Western Springs Police are increasing patrols at Lyons Township High School and working with the school as it investigates a delayed report of an attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery at the school’s south campus.
The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the campus at 4900 Willow Springs Road. It was reported at 9:12 p.m. Jan. 20.
A 15-year-old student was sitting alone on a bench near the east side of the main entrance when two men walked toward him, police said. One of the men continued to walk past the bench and the other sat next to the student and demanded money. When the student refused, the man lifted his coat and displayed an undetermined black object which may have been a gun, police said.
When the student got up and walked away the man grabbed him and placed him a headlock, police said. The boy pulled away and was not injured. The offenders did not take any property from the victim.
The two men left on foot going south on Willow Springs Road.
The man who demanded money was described as an black man, unknown age, between 5-feet, 10-inches and 6-feet, 1-inch in height, thin build and with short dreadlocks. He was wearing a black sweatshirt and pants. The second man was merely described as an black man with a thin build.
Western Springs police Chief Brian Budds said the department is working with the La Grange Police Department to solve the crime. The La Grange department is investigating a similar incident in which a 13-year-old had a cellphone stolen by two man at Ashland and Maple Avenues at 4:07 pm. Jan. 19. In that incident, one of the men told the boy that he had a pistol and punched the teen in the face.
“Based on the victim’s statements, we believe these crimes are directly related,” Budds said.
In the La Grange incident, the suspect was described as a black man, between 18 and 21 years old, between 5-feet, 8-inches and 5-feet, 10-inches tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a teal hooded sweatshirt and dark gray sweat pants. He is described as having short dreadlocks and short-trimmed, neatly groomed facial hair.
The vehicle he left in was described as a teal, late 1990s small SUV.
Police are increasing patrols in the vicinity the south campus this week.
The school district reports that it is working with police and has shared video surveillance of the area.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the police at 708-246-8540.
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