Lake Villa Man Tries to Abduct Four Girls

A Lake Villa man sits in jail on $1 million bond after he was arrested Wednesday by the Lake County Sheriff's Department for attempting to abduct four little girls in Beach Park.

Henry Wright, 29, of the 25000 block of Arcade Dr. in Lake Villa, was charged April 24, with four counts of attempted aggravated kidnapping and four counts of child abduction.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department reported Wright attempted to abduct the four girls, ranging from 4 to 8 years old, at about 5 p.m. in the 39100 block of Welsh Lane in Beach Park.

Chased the girls

Wright reportedly approached the girls while driving a black 2010 Toyota Camry and asked if they wanted a ride. The children told him no and ran from him. Wright gave chase, according to a sheriff's press release.

The girls ran away unharmed. One of the girls told her mother, and she provideed Wright’s license plate to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Hit and run

During the search for Wright, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a hit-and-run accident at Wadsworth and Delany roads involving Wright's vehicle.

The Waukegan Police Department located Wright, and he was turned over to Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

As a result of the hit-and-run, Wright was issued traffic citations for failure to reduce to avoid an accident, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to give aid or information and not having insurance.

Wright is scheduled to appear in court on May 3.

Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. commends the quick thinking of the children.

"I think the lessons of stranger danger are worth repeating," he said.