Palos Park Police Query Sex Offender Spotted Driving Near School Bus Stop

PALOS PARK, IL -- Palos Park police fielded phone calls from concerned parents after a school district reported a registered sex offender sighted near a school bus stop Tuesday afternoon.

Superintendent Dr. Anthony M. Scarsella, of Palos School District 118, posted on the district’s website that the man, who turned out to be a registered sex offender, was questioned by police near 124th Street and 81st Avenue, around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.

“This location happens to be a bus stop for Palos East and Palos South students,” Scarsella said in a written station. “The offender was driving a red Hyundai sedan. No students were involved in this incident.

Chief Joe Miller, of the Palos Park Police Department, confirmed that his officers spoke to a man who turned out to be registered sex offender from Orland Park. The man was convicted of crimes of involving children.

“The bus stop is between his residence in Orland Park and job off 111th Street in Chicago,” Miller said. “His version he was simply using the street to get to our Metra station.”

The police chief said the man’s red Hyundai drew the attention of parents waiting for their youngsters at the school bus stop. The parents noticed the vehicle traveling through the area several times this past week.

“The car looked out of place to them,” Miller said. “We wanted to follow up on it. The car came back registered to a sex offender.”

Miller added that there were no furtive movements. The man did not violate his sex offender registration.

“Parents were being alert and vigilant. Something looked out of place and they called police,” the chief added. “They did what they were supposed to do.”

Police notified both the Orland Park and Palos school districts. Miller said the man was using the road as a shortcut to get to work. He was not taking the train to get to his job.

Scarsella asked parents to be extra vigilant of suspicious activity at bus stops and to immediately report such activity to police. All Palos Dist. 118 bus drivers have also been advised of the incident.

“They will be keeping a close eye on students at bus stops,” Scarsella said. “Student safety remains our top priority and I thank you in advance for working with us to ensure our students remain safe traveling to and from school.”

Meanwhile, police suggested that registered sex offender find a different route to work.

“We suggested he take Harlem Avenue or LaGrange Road,” Miller said. “Orland Park police are familiar with the man.”