Police: Man tried to kidnap girl, 13, near Old Orchard Junior High in Skokie

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- Police are searching for a man who tried to kidnap a 13-year-old girl walking near a school in north suburban Skokie.

Police say the girl, a student at Old Orchard Junior High, was walking to Niles North High School around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. She was walking through a parking lot along the 4800-block of W. Golf Road when a man driving by swung into the lot, got out of his vehicle and approached her.

He asked the victim for directions to a nearby restaurant, and when she answered, attempted to pull her towards his car, police said. The girl was able to fight him off by pulling several metal padlocks from her backpack and hitting him in the jaw. He then took off.

Police described the suspect as a male in his 30s, 5'8" to 5'9", with a heavy build and black hair. Police said he speaks with a Spanish accent and is missing two fingers on his right hand. He was last seen driving a blue-colored small SUV or crossover vehicle.

Police say the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Skokie police at (847) 982-5900.