Man With Gun Tries Luring Kids Into SUV on NW Side

Police say the man tried engaging the kids, then displayed a handgun

A man tried luring two young children into a white SUV Sunday night on Chicago's Northwest Side, police said.

The siblings -- a 6-year-old boy and his 7-year-old sister -- were approached by the man at about 8:30 p.m. on the 2000 block of North Tripp Avenue in the Hermosa neighborhood, according to police.

The driver tried engaging the children in conversation and then displayed a handgun. The children did not engage, police said, and fled to safety.

Fourteen-year-old Mineralda Landa was among the group of kids who were playing in the yard when the driver pulled up.

"If you guys don't get in the car, we're gonna kill you guys. They showed us the gun. I told the kids to run inside, while I could call police," Landa said.

The man was described as about 20-29 years old and wearing a green hoodie to mask his appearance, as well as black pants. The vehicle was described to police as a white SUV with black tape on the windows.

Police urged residents in the area not to let children walk alone and to alert neighbors of the situation. Landa's parents are going one step further.

"They just said we can't come outside anymore becaise they don't want nothing to happened to us," Landa said.

"I felt kinda scared because this never really happened around here before."

Anyone with information about the man or the SUV are asked to call the Area North Detective Division at 3120-744-8200.

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