Palos Heights Man Arrested After Following Oak Lawn Teen Home, Police Say

Oak Lawn Police arrested a 59-year-old man on charges that he attempted to lure a 17-year-old girl to his car.

Terrence F. Loftus, of the 6900 block of Highland Drive in Palos Heights, was charged with one count of child abduction.

According to a written statement by police, a man later identified as Loftus, followed the high school student as she was walking home from school on Jan. 13.

She was at Kilpatrick Avenue and 92nd Street when Loftus allegedly drove up to her and asked if she needed a ride, police said.

The student told Loftus "no." Police said the man, whom she described as being between 50-60 years old, continued to follow her and was persistent in continuing the conversation.

Loftus continued motioning with his hand trying to get her to come to the car. “Under fightening circumstances, the student was close to home and she was able to lock herself safely in her home," police said.

Police said that the student was able to memorize his license plate, on a blue, four-door Chrysler, which police learned was registered to an 86-year-old woman.

The student was also able to physically describe the man for a police composite drawing.

Oak Lawn detectives picked up the 59-year-old man, who police said was the son of the registered owner, on Jan. 17.

The man matched the composite drawing provided by the student, according to the police statement.

Police conducted a physical line-up the next day, and the student positively identified Loftus as the man who allegedly tried luring her to his car.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved one count of child abduction for his attempts to lure a child from a secondary school to his vehicle without the consent of her parents, police said.

Loftus appeared for a bond hearing in the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California. Bail was set at $100,000.

He is due back in court on Wednesday at 26th and California.