Kankakee, IL — A nine-year-old boy’s quick thinking helped him escape an alleged kidnapping attempt near Steuben School over the weekend.
According to police, the incident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Sunday. Officers were called after the boy, who had been playing basketball alone, reported being approached by a dark-colored van with broken windows. The boy said two men inside the vehicle allegedly asked him to get in, offering a ride home.
The child ran, but one of the men reportedly grabbed him by the ankles. The boy managed to escape and ran home to alert his family. He told police he had seen the van in the area for several days.
Police located a vehicle matching the description and arrested 41-year-old Jyttan Chester early Monday morning. Chester, a noncompliant offender against youth, was taken into custody after officers reportedly found suspicious items in the van. Authorities have not yet released details on the items discovered.
Kankakee police continue to investigate the incident and have urged parents to teach children about staying alert and reporting suspicious behavior.
