Cops Seek Man Who Offered Candy To Boy, 8, In Wheaton

WHEATON, IL -- The DuPage County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a man who offered candy to an 8-year-old boy who was walking his dog Saturday in unincorporated Wheaton. Police say the suspect left the area after the boy ignored him, but was spotted again by the boy a short time later.

The boy was walking his dog near the intersection of Orchard and Flint Creek Roads just before 5 p.m. when he pulled up in a white SUV and asked the boy if he wanted any candy, police say. The boy ignored the man, who drove away, the victim told police.

Police say that a short time later, the suspect was spotted in his vehicle back near the place where the boy first encountered him. When the boy saw the man, he reportedly ran between two nearby homes.

The car then made an "abrupt U-Turn," police say, and fled east on Flint Creek Road.

The suspect was described as a white male between 40 and 50 years old with a fair complexion, red hair, and a heavy build. Anyone who has information or believes they have seen the suspect or his vehicle is urged to call DuPage County Sheriff's Detective Phil Marotta at 630-407-2536 or email him at phil.marotta@dupagesheriff.org.