A man is accused of luring two children into his Arlington Heights apartment – approaching them as they played outside – after a neighbor got involved and ended up calling 911.
James Krook, 54, of the 2100 block of Tonne Drive, in Arlington Heights, was charged Tuesday with felony child luring and kidnapping. He was scheduled to appear in bond court.
According to an Arlington Heights police news release, at about 2 p.m. on Aug. 9, a neighbor saw two children standing on the patio of an apartment. The neighbor reported hearing a man – now identified as Krook – screaming at the kids. Police said the patio was at Krook’s apartment.
“His apartment does have a walkout patio area which is accessible from an outside common area within the complex,” police Commander Petar Milutinovic told Pioneer Press in an email. “A neighbor observed the victims … in a state of distress while on Krook’s patio. The neighbor came to their aid and called 911.”
During their investigation, police discovered the children had been playing outside in the common area of the apartment complex in the 2100 block of Tonne Drive when they were approached by Krook – who was using a walker.
He reportedly asked the children to assist him with getting into the building, which the children did, according to police. The children, whom police said are 7 years old and 8, were standing at the door of Krook’s apartment when he reportedly told them not to leave then began hurling profanities at them, “intimidating them into entering his unit.”
Police said the children entered his apartment and were offered beer, but they tried to leave the home through the patio door, telling Krook they wanted to go.
According to police, Krook allegedly became angry, used vulgar language and demanded they come back into the apartment.
When the kids refused, Krook reportedly said, “Well, I am going to take my clothes off,” and began removing his shirt and pants. Then, though, the neighbor stepped in and helped the children, police said.
Krook is charged with kidnapping – a Class 2 felony – and felony child luring.
He was scheduled to appear in court Thursday in Rolling Meadows.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.
