Bridgeview Park District Employee Accused of Luring Child

BRIDGEVIEW, IL -- A Bridgeview man was arrested after he offered a 9-year-old girl a ride, prosecutors said. Brian Dudzik, 70, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on a charge of child abduction and luring during a bond hearing on Friday. Dudzik’s attorney said he was a part-time employee for the Bridgeview Park District.

According to the charges, Dudzik was driving down the 9300 block of 76th Street in Hickory Hills on Aug. 9, when he offered a 9-year-old girl walking her dog a ride in his vehicle. The girl became upset and started crying. A nearby neighbor who witnessed the incident took a picture of Dudzik’s vehicle with her cell phone the prosecutor said. The neighbor told the girl to run home and tell her mother what happened.

Dudzik’s attorney told the judge that his client is a retired steel worker. He’s a veteran of the U.S. Army and has an “unblemished record.” Duzik is elderly and suffers from various health issues, including his heart, problems walking and diabetes.

Bail was set at $50,000. The prosecutor requested special conditions of bond, including no contact with the girl or children under the age of 18.

“He works part-time for the park district,” Dudzik’s attorney said.

“That’s something he’ll have to work out,” Judge Havis replied.

Dudzik is due back in court Sept. 6 in Bridgeview.