Suspicious Man Offered Candy to Boy Near 71st Street and Walden Lane

A fifth grader at Eisenhower Jr. High School was approached by a man in a white van Monday around 5 p.m.

The student was running cross country on 71st Street by Walden Lane when he heard the sliding side door of the van open and a man asked if he wanted candy, according to a City of Darien community alert.

The boy didn’t turn to look at the van or the driver before he ran to catch up with the other cross country runners. There was no physical contact, and no other witnesses, according to the alert. The student told his coach about the incident and the school contacted Darien police.

The van is described as older and white with windows only in the front, a sliding door and squeaky brakes. Police checked the area, but they have not found the van. The alert says there will be increased police presence in the area.