Police arrested a 61-year-old man who allegedly tried soliciting two children, whom he did not know, for sex while they were walking in McHenry, authorities said.
Michael A. Novak, 61, of McHenry, was charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child with the intent to commit criminal sexual assault, a Class 2 felony.
McHenry Police Department Public Affairs Officer Ashley O’Herron said Novak approached two children in the area of Elm Street and Front Street in McHenry.
The two teenagers, who were under the age of 18, reported they were walking in the area at the time.
The victims did not know Novak, who made “inappropriate propositions” to them, O’Herron said.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Novak asked both juveniles if he could perform a sex act on them, despite knowing they were underage.
The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Novak eventually left the juveniles alone.
One of the juveniles walked by the McHenry Township Fire Protection District station nearby and stopped to talk with a firefighter outside, O’Herron said.
O’Herron said Novak continued on his way after the child sought help and the juvenile’s parents met with the child at the fire station.
Novak was later identified through video surveillance from a nearby business and taken into custody by the McHenry Police Department.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Novak pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to the community.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis granted the request during an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday.
Novak remains held in the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday for a status of preliminary hearing.