A Waukegan man was charged after police say he followed a child and tried to lure that same child, who he did not know, two days in a row in Highland Park and Highwood.
Mazher Syed, 42, of Waukegan, was charged with four counts of child luring, a Class 4 felony.
The Highwood Police Department began investigating on August 19 into a report of a child luring incident that occurred on August 18.
Police learned that the suspect also attempted to lure the same child in Highland Park during the early afternoon on August 19 in the 400 block of Bloom Street.
The Highland Park Police Department also launched an investigation and a person of interest, identified as Syed, quickly emerged, according to Highland Park Deputy Police Chief William Bonaguidi.
Syed was positively identified as the suspect in both incidents and he later surrendered to the Highland Park Police Department on Thursday.
Bonaguidi told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the victim did not know Syed.
There have not been any other incidents reported involving Syed or his vehicle in Highwood or Highland Park.
The City of Highland Park recommends that parents discuss safety and stranger awareness with their children.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), attempted abductions occur most often when a child is going to or from school or school-related activities or while children are outside playing near the street.
Individuals will typically try to lure children with offers of a ride, candy, money, or a pet. Many abduction attempts involve an individual driving a vehicle and frequently target girls and children between the ages of 10-14.