'Rumor Mill' Prompts Police Response

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale police on Wednesday told the public that reported "suspicious circumstances" involving a group of children selling cookies and a parent following behind in a car were unfounded.

In a Facebook post, police said a parent reported she was supervising a group of children selling cookies door-to-door near Eighth and Garfield streets about 4:30 p.m. Friday. She was slowly following behind in a car as they solicited.

After the parent briefly lost sight of the children, police said, the children became alarmed and flagged down a passing driver on Eighth, asking to use the driver's cellphone to call a parent. The parent arrived shortly after, before the motorist could provide a phone, the Facebook post said.

"Information on this incident is being released now due to recent social media inquiries," the post said. "All parties involved in this incident have been identified and interviewed. There is no ill intent associated with this incident."

One woman wrote in the comments that "the rumor mill spun this one out of control," adding she was "grateful there isn't an attempted kidnapper on the loose."

Another joked, "All you need are a couple of cans and a string in Hinsdale."